最新美国发明专利第2012-01-10期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08092899B2	Method of activating a silicon surface for subsequent patterning of molecules onto said surface The present invention relates to a method of activating a silicon surface for subsequent patterning of molecules onto said surface, and to patterns produced by this method, and further to uses of said pattern.
US08092896B2	Cellular confinement system The present invention discloses cellular confinement systems (CCSs) with improved friction with infill at low normal pressure. The invention especially presents novel flaps-containing CCS that includes inter alia a plurality of elongated strips arranged in a side by side pattern, each of the strip is segmentally bonded to an adjacent strip in spaced-apart bonding areas, said bonding areas alternating between the sides of each of said strips, such that when the system is stretched across its width, the strips curl to form a web of cells confined by cell walls disposed between the bonding areas, wherein at least one of the cell walls comprises at least one flap hinged to the wall and friction between the walls and the infill material increases.
US08092894B1	High strength polymerics Provided is a method for making strong load-bearing plastics which includes, forming a mixture of magnetically tagged, electrically tagged, and untagged polymeric rods and flowing the mixture of the three types of rods through a forming tool across which, electric and magnetic fields are applied, to form a plastic article or structure with 3-D orientation of the molecules therein and thus a product of high strength in 3 dimensions.
US08092892B2	Method for producing a plastic membrane device and the thus obtained device A method for producing a membrane device by providing a substrate (24), adding a liquid (16) thereon, and covering the liquid (16) and at least one substrate portion bearing the liquid (16) with a homogenous continuous thin film (18) by means of a low-pressure deposition process. The film is made of a plastic material and forms a membrane.
US08092891B2	Bridged cyanine compound and optical recording material using the same A cyanine compound is represented by: wherein, R11 and R12 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or a group represented by the following general formula (II), (II′), or (III); R13 and R14 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or a substituent represented by the following general formula (III); R11 and R12 may be connected together to form a ring structure; R19 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; R13 and R14 may be connected together to form a heterocycle; N—R13 may be connected together with a methylene group in a polymethine chain to form a heterocycle; Z00 is an organic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; m is 0 or 1; s is 2 to 8; Anq− represents an anion having a valence of q; q is 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient for maintaining charge neutrality.
US08092885B2	System for resealing open bags Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to adhesive strips for reversibly resealing open bags, such as food bags. More particularly, the preferred strips comprise a decorative motif and/or a textured surface, which may be provided in a dispenser.
US08092882B2	Sports equipment with resonant core bodies and method for production thereof Provided is a shaped body for production of sports equipment such as tennis, squash, and badminton rackets, golf clubs, hockey and ice hockey sticks and baseball bats. The shaped body includes a core of two tubular resonant bodies, running parallel to and spaced at a distance from each other and surrounded by a common covering. A spacer body with convexly curved opposed ends is arranged between the resonant bodies, whereby the mass of the resonant bodies is greater than that of the spacer body. The vibrations of the two vibrating systems, in the form of the resonance bodies, are overlaid in an advantageous manner, by means of the coupling of the resonance bodies. The invention further relates to a method for the production of the shaped body and the use of the shaped body in sports equipment.
US08092880B2	Fuel hose A fuel hose includes a laminated structure of a tubular resin layer and an adjoining rubber layer, the rubber layer being formed by a rubber composition containing the following (A) to (F) as essential components, and the resin layer being formed by a material containing a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer or a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether quaterpolymer as a main component: (A) a blend of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and polyvinyl chloride; (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene-7 salt, 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonene-5 salt, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene-7 and 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonene-5; (C) zeolite; (D) magnesium oxide; (E) laminar mineral; and (F) basic silica.
US08092878B2	Cryogenic, elastomeric closure for cryogen containers A multi-material, cryogenic, elastomeric closure is provided for sealing a container for samples of cryophilic biological materials, pharmaceuticals or the like. The closure includes at least one cryophilic elastomer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) below the cryogenic temperature to which the sample is to be subjected and at least one non-cryophilic elastomer having a Tg above the cryogenic temperature. The cryophilic and non-cryophilic elastomers are present in such a manner as to maintain a complete seal of the container opening at the cryogenic temperature.
US08092877B2	Thermoplastic aroma barrier incorporating cyclo-olefins The present invention relates to polymer structures such as thermoplastic films having improved aroma barrier properties and methods for making the polymeric structures, which may be in the form of a resealable container. Aroma barrier is improved by incorporating a barrier layer of polymeric material including at least about 10 mole percent of polymerized cyclo-olefin moieties.
US08092875B2	Composite luminous vessels A composite luminous vessel container 3 has a hollow and polycrystalline alumina capillary 1 and one or more transparent disk(s) 2 of monocrystalline alumina. The polycrystalline alumina luminous container member 3 functions as a luminous part for a high intensity discharge lamp. Light is emitted from the inside of the polycrystalline alumina luminous member 3 and radiated through the transparent monocrystalline alumina disk to the outside. The light emitted through the transparent window has a low loss due to the scattering so that the lamp efficiency can be improved. In the case of the light emitted through the transparent monocrystalline alumina, the size of the light source is substantially equal to the distance between the electrodes, so that the light source can be utilized as a point light source. The light emitted from the point light source can be subjected to optical control by combination with reflectors or lenses.
US08092871B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal layer containing a nematic liquid crystal material; a pair of electrodes opposing each other via the liquid crystal layer; a pair of alignment films respectively provided between the pair of electrodes and the liquid crystal layer; and an alignment sustaining layer formed of a photopolymerized material on each of surfaces of the pair of alignment films which are closer to the liquid crystal layer, the alignment sustaining layer being configured to regulate a pretilt azimuth of a liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal layer during the absence of an applied voltage across the liquid crystal layer, wherein the pretilt azimuth of the liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal layer is regulated by the alignment sustaining layer during the absence of an applied voltage across the liquid crystal layer. The nematic liquid crystal material contains a liquid crystal compound having a terphenyl ring system as an indispensable component, and the liquid crystal layer further contains part of a photopolymerizable compound which is a source material of the photopolymerized material, a content of the photopolymerizable compound relative to the nematic liquid crystal material being less than 0.015 mol %.
US08092866B2	Thermochromatic pigment covered article and method of making the same A thermochromatic pigment covered article, comprising a substrate, and a single layer of a combined encapsulated thermochromatic pigment and resin or resin mixture disposed on the substrate. In accordance with the method of the present invention, an encapsulated thermochromatic pigment mixture and a resin or resin mixture are combined and mixed so that the thermochromatic pigment is disbursed and protected in the resin to prevent it from separating therefrom, and the combined pigment mixture and resin or resin mixture are then applied to the substrate in a single layer.
US08092863B2	Method for manufacturing lightweight building boards The invention relates to methods for manufacturing lightweight building boards (1) starting from a workpiece (2) which comprises two thin-walled cover layers (4, 6) and at least one core layer (8) which is disposed between the cover layers (4, 6) and is made of a light filling material, the at least one core layer (8) possessing cavities and having a lower average density than the cover layers. The method comprises the following steps: forming in the workpiece (2) at least one groove (10) which extends through at least one first cover layer (4) and at least partly through the at least one core layer (8) and circumscribes at least a portion of a contour of the lightweight building board (1) to be manufactured; introducing a hardenable mass (12) into the at least one groove (10); at least partly hardening the hardenable mass (12); and making a separating cut along the at least one groove (10), so the at least partly hardened mass (12) is separated in the longitudinal direction of the groove.
US08092861B2	Method of fabricating an ultra dielectric constant (K) dielectric layer A fabrication method of an ultra low-k dielectric layer is provided. A deposition process is performed, under the control of a temperature varying program or a pressure varying program, by reacting a dielectric matrix to form porous low-k dielectric layers with a gradient density on a barrier layer over a substrate.
US08092860B2	Topographically selective oxidation Methods for oxidizing organic compounds coated or adsorbed on a topographically patterned solid surface are provided. The methods can be used to selectively remove the organic compounds from the non-recessed areas.
US08092858B2	Gypsum panel having UV-cured moisture resistant coating and method of making same A method of making a gypsum panel comprises sandwiching a gypsum slurry between two moving sheets of facing material, one of said sheets comprising a fibrous facing material, curing and drying the gypsum slurry to form a set gypsum panel, applying a coating of a radiation curable formulation, which is essentially free of any unreactive components, onto the fibrous facing material of the set gypsum panel, applying a surface coating of an aggregate material onto the coating of the radiation curable formulation, and curing the coating of the radiation curable formulation with high energy radiation, wherein the radiation curable formulation comprises a high energy radiation curable polymer comprising ethylenically unsaturated double bonds.
US08092855B2	Click chemistry surface functionalization for resonant micro-cavity sensors Micro-cavity resonant sensors have outer surfaces that are functionalized using click chemistry, e.g., involving a cycloaddition reaction of an alkyne functional group and an azide functional group. A first polymer linking element binds to an outer surface of the micro-cavity and has an azide functional group, which bonds to an alkyne functional group of a second polymer linking element as a result of a cycloaddition reaction. A functionalization element such as an antibody, antigen or protein for sensing a target molecule is bound to the second linking element.
US08092846B2	Synergistic anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical compositions and related methods using curcuminoids or methylxanthines The invention provides compositions containing a fraction isolated or derived from hops and a methylxanthine. The invention additionally provides compositions containing a fraction derived from hops and a curcuminoid. The invention also provides methods of using such compositions to reduce inflammation.
US08092845B2	Anti-inflammatory extract and agent and method for the production thereof The invention relates to the pharmaceutical industry, in particular to producing herbal remedy for integrally treating various inflammatory diseases. The inventive remedy comprises a dry Boswellia extract dissolved in the oil extract of Siberian stone pine seeds and Curcuma. The remedy can be used in the form of soft gelatine capsules for peroral administration, wherein lecithin, hydroxy-toluene butyl, alpha-tocopherol acetate, ascorbyl palmitate are added to the ready-for-use oil extract. The inventive method for producing said remedy consists in producing the oil extracts of Siberian stone pine seeds and Curcuma and in subsequently adding the dry Boswellia extract thereto.
US08092842B2	Extraction of phytochemicals by enzymatic hydrolysis A process for extracting phytochemicals from plants. The process generally comprises controllably slurrying a selected plant material in a volume, adding a selected enzyme the slurry while it is controllably agitated, then heating the controllably agitated slurry-enzyme mixture to a temperature from the range of 40° C. to 110° C., and then maintaining the slurry-enzyme mixture at that temperature for a selected period of time. The slurry is then separated into a solids fraction and a liquids fraction that contains extracted phytochemicals. The liquids fraction is controllably de-watered to produce a fluid extract concentrate. The liquids fraction may optionally be dried to produce a dried extract concentrate. Suitable enzymes for use with this process include α-amylases, β-amylases, endo-β-1,4-glucanases, cellobiohydrolases, cellulases, hemicellulases, β-glucosidases, β-xylosidases, xylanases, pullulases, esterases and mixtures thereof.
US08092835B1	Injectable microspheres Injectable microspheres are obtained from double bond functionalized polyhydric alcohol ester by a method comprising dissolving the double bond functionalized esters in a hydrophobic organic solvent, forming an aqueous solution of stabilizer, forming an oil in water emulsion where the solution of stabilizer constitutes the continuous phase and the solution of ester constitutes the disperse phase and evaporating the organic solvent or from block copolymer of PGCLM and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol).
US08092833B2	Compositions containing inclusion complexes The invention provides a composition containing particulate composite of a polymer and a therapeutic agent. The composition also contains a complexing agent. The polymer interacts with the complexing agent in a host-guest or a guest-host interaction to form an inclusion complex. A therapeutic composition of the invention may be used to deliver the therapeutic agent and to treat various disorders. Both the polymer of the particulate composite and the complexing agent may be used to introduce functionality into the therapeutic composition. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a composition. The method combines a therapeutic agent, a polymer having host or guest functionality, and a complexing agent having guest or host functionality to form the therapeutic composition. The complexing agent forms an inclusion complex with the polymer. The invention also relates to a method of delivering a therapeutic agent. According to the method, a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic composition of the invention is administered to a mammal (e.g. person or animal) in recognized need of the therapeutic. Also disclosed are compounds having the formula:
US08092832B2	Generally linear effervescent oral fentanyl dosage form and methods of administering Fentanyl containing dosage forms and methods using same are described. These dosage forms include substantially less fentanyl by weight than know oral formulation and have advantages in terms of cost and side effects. These dosage forms are intended for oral administration of fentanyl across the oral mucosa.
US08092827B2	Medical non-crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, medical adhesive sheet employing the same, and process for producing medical non-crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive composition A medical non-crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which not only has relatively high resistance to water during perspiration or the like and shows a sufficient skin adhesive force, but also can contain a large amount of a liquid plasticizer and hence have reduced skin-irritating properties. These compositions comprise an adhesive polymer A having a weight-average molecular weight of 500,000-1,000,000, an adhesive polymer B having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000,000-1,500,000, and a liquid plasticizer, wherein the adhesive polymer A is a polymer obtained by copolymerizing one or more alkyl (meth)acrylates with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and the adhesive polymer B is either a polymer obtained by the polymerization of one or more alkyl (meth)acrylates or a polymer obtained by copolymerizing one or more alkyl (meth)acrylates with one or more comonomers other than N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. Also provided are a medical adhesive sheet and a process for producing the medical non-crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive composition.
US08092826B2	Taste modified hard confectionery compositions containing functional ingredients The present invention provides improved confectionery compositions which have a substantial reduction in the unpleasant organoleptic sensations associated with the release of functional ingredients from the confection in the oral cavity. The confectionery composition comprises a confectionery base, a functional ingredient which is a botanical or a mineral or a mineral salt having an unpleasant mouthfeel, and from about 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight of the composition of one or more fats, said amount being effective to suppress the unpleasant mouthfeel of the functional ingredient. For botanicals the confectionery composition is a hard boiled candy composition or a hard gum composition and the fat is one or more partially hydrogenated vegetable oils or saturated fats. For minerals or their salts the confection is a hard boiled candy composition and the fat is one or more partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. As a result of the present invention, improved hard confectionery products are provided which have a substantial reduction in the unpleasant organoleptic sensations associated with the functional ingredients upon release of the functional ingredient from the confection in the oral cavity.
US08092825B2	Glycan binding proteins as therapeutic targets for retinal disorders and treatment methods based thereon Disclosed are novel methods of treatment for retinal diseases and conditions including age-related macular degeneration, genetic-based retinal degenerations and retinal detachment. A novel glycan binding protein thought to be a cell surface receptor has been discovered in the retina. The retinal glycan binding receptor is shown to play an important role in promoting assembly of outer segment (OS) membranes by the photoreceptor cells of the eye, a process that is essential for vision. Based on the finding that certain sugars can bind with very high affinity to the retinal glycan receptor and stimulate its function, the invention provides novel therapeutic agents for treatment of retinal diseases that are multivalent N-linked glycans. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions in accordance with the present invention comprise active agents having the general formula: (Gal-GlcNAc)n-Man3-GlcNAc2, where n is 1-4. Particularly preferred multivalent glycans are galactosylated, biantennary (NA2), and asialo, galactosylated, triantennary (NA3) oligosaccharides.
US08092816B2	Insecticidal compositions for control of general household pests The present invention relates to an insecticidal composition comprising a pyrethroid and a second insecticide selected from the group consisting of imidacloprid, nithiazine, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, nitenpyram, thiacloprid, clothianidin and chlorfenapyr, with significantly improved knockdown and mortality characteristics when applied to general household pests.
US08092815B2	Antimicrobial solid surface materials containing chitosan-metal complexes Provided are articles containing a solid surface material with an antimicrobial agent in a thermoset and/or thermoplastic resin matrix, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a chitosan-metal complex.
US08092812B2	Methods and compositions for immunization against chlamydial infection and disease The present invention provides Chlamydia proteins and compositions and methods of use in the treatment/prevention of chlamydial infection in a subject, for eliciting an immune response in a subject and for reducing the likelihood of infertility and reducing the incidence and/or degree of hydrosalpinx due to Chlamydia infection in a subject.
US08092811B2	Interaction of Moraxella catarrhalis with epithelial cells, extracellular matrix proteins and the complement system The present invention relates to surface proteins of Moraxella catarrhalis and their ability to interact with epithelial cells via cell-associated fibronectin and laminin, and also to their ability to inhibit the complement system. These surface proteins are useful in the preparation of vaccines. The present invention also provides peptides interacting with fibronectin, laminin and the complement system.
US08092808B2	Ovo vaccination of Campylobacter in avian species The present invention provides a method of inducing an immune response against Campylobacter in an avian species, especially a domesticated avian species such as chicken, turkey, duck, goose and quail, by administering, in ovo, live cells of Campylobacter.
US08092807B2	Modified leukocyte Ig-like receptor family members (LIRs) with increased affinity for class 1 MHC and their uses in modulating T-cell activation The present invention provides polypeptides having the property of binding to a given Class I pMHC CHARACTERISED IN THAT said polypeptide has a KD for the said given Class I pMHC of less than or equal to 1 μM and/or has an off-rate (koff) for the said given Class I pMHC molecule of 2 S−1 or slower AND said polypeptide has at least a 45% identity and/or 55% similarity to a defined high-affinity ILT-like molecule AND said polypeptide inhibits CD8 binding to the given pMHC to a greater extent than a soluble truncated variant of Wild-Type ILT-2. Such high-affinity ILT-like molecules are useful, either alone or associated with a therapeutic agent, for the inhibition of cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses.
US08092801B2	Prevention and treatment of synucleinopathic and amyloidogenic disease The invention provides improved agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with synucleinopathic diseases, including Lewy bodies of alpha-synuclein in the brain of a patient. Such methods entail administering agents that induce a beneficial immunogenic response against the Lewy body. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Parkinson's disease.
US08092798B2	Method of increasing trabecular bone density in a patient in need thereof by an antibody against GDF-8 The disclosure provides novel antibodies against growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), including antibody fragments, which inhibit GDF-8 activity in vitro and in vivo. The disclosure also provides methods for diagnosing, preventing, or treating degenerative disorders of muscle, bone, or insulin metabolism.
US08092792B2	Use of materials for treatment of central nervous system lesions Disclosed are methods and materials for treatment of central nervous system lesions. Preferred methods and materials comprise neuronal precursor cells and/or marrow adherent stem cell-derived neuronal cells.
US08092788B2	Compositions and methods for topical diagnostic and therapeutic transport Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery, including transdermal delivery, of biologically active agents, such as non-protein non-nucleotide therapeutics and protein-based therapeutics excluding insulin, botulinum toxins, antibody fragments, and VEGF. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for topical delivery of antifungal agents and antigenic agents suitable for immunization. Alternately, the compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.
US08092783B2	Gadolinium containing prussian blue nanoparticles as nontoxic MRI contrast agents having high relaxivity Gadolinium+3 (Gd3+) containing (or incorporated) Prussian blue lattice contrast agents that can be used as an MRI contrast agent have unexpectedly improved r1 relaxivities of 1 or 2 magnitudes higher than the commercial Gd3+-chelates as well as exceedingly, non-toxic, low release of the Gd3+ ions into an aqueous environment at a pH of about 2 to about 7.5. The Prussian blue lattice containing Gd3+ ions therein can be used for clinical diagnosis intravenously to human beings for medical imaging. The particle sizes of the doped Prussian blue lattices are of a nanosize scale and are very stable against agglomeration.
US08092782B2	Polybiotin compounds of magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery The invention relates generally to biotin-containing compounds that are useful as imaging agents and drug-delivery agents. Another aspect of the invention relates to the aforementioned compounds chelated to a metal atom. In a preferred embodiment, the metal atom is a gadolinium. Another aspect of the invention relates to a compound comprising three biotin moieties and a pharmaceutical agent covalently bound to a heterocyclic core. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical agent is an antibiotic, antiviral, or radionuclide. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating disease involving administering the compounds of the invention to a mammal. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of acquiring a magnetic resonance image using the compounds of the invention.
US08092781B2	Treatment of sinusitis in mammals with clostridia neurotoxins A method is disclosed for blocking or reducing physiological reaction in a mammal to the interaction of IgE antibodies present in said mammal upon contact with the corresponding antigen, by the administration to said mammal of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin (CnT) derived from Clostridia sp.
US08092779B2	Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods A post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a radiopaque element, a core portion and a shell portion. The core portion is coupled to the radiopaque element, and includes a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture. The shell portion is coupled to the core portion and includes a second porous matrix defining a second controlled pore architecture that is different from the first controlled pore architecture.
US08092777B2	Process for producing anisotropic magnetic material and anisotropic magnetic material A process for producing an anisotropic magnetic material includes: preparing a feebly magnetic material capable of transforming into a magnetic material by a prescribed reaction, orienting the feebly magnetic material by imparting an external field to the feebly magnetic material, and transforming the oriented feebly magnetic material to a magnetic substance by the prescribed reaction.
US08092776B2	Process for the recovery of selenium from minerals and/or acidic solutions A process and method for recovering elemental selenium, selenite or selenate from minerals and selenium salts solutions using a reducing sugar to reduce selenium before precipitating the elemental selenium, selenite and/or the selenate.
US08092773B2	Liquid fullerene derivative, method for producing the same, and device using the same The liquid fullerene derivative according to the present invention contains a fullerene moiety, a benzene ring bonded to the fullerene moiety, and first to third alkyl substituents R1, R2 and R3 bonded to 2-, 4- and 6-positions of the benzene ring, respectively, and the first to third alkyl substituents R1, R2 and R3 each contain at least 12 carbon atoms. The liquid fullerene derivative which is liquid at room temperature without requiring a solvent and easily exhibits the function of the fullerene itself, a method for producing the same, and a device using the same are provided.
US08092772B2	Use of a nozzle for manufacturing sodium percarbonate The present invention relates to a use of a two-way spray nozzle (1) with protective gas for manufacturing granular sodium percarbonate, said nozzle comprising a central tube (2) having an outlet for an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, an inner jacket tube (3) arranged coaxially around the central tube, and having an outlet for aqueous sodium carbonate solution, an outer jacket tube (4) arranged coaxially around the central tube and inner jacket tube, and having an outlet for a protective gas, a threaded ring slot (5) arranged around the central tube at a distance from the outlet of the central tube, wherein the threads of the ring slot are arranged at an angle α with respect of the direction of the longitudinal axis (12) of the central tube, and in which said protective gas is used at a pressure of less than 0.7 bar. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing granular sodium percarbonate.
US08092770B2	Polysilazane thermosetting polymers for use in chromatographic systems and applications This invention relates to an amorphous non-glassy ceramic composition that may be prepared by curing, calcining and/or pyrolyzing a precursor material comprising silicon, a Group III metal, a Group IVA metal, and/or a Group IVB metal.
US08092765B2	Method of processing non-ferrous smelting intermediates containing arsenic To extract arsenic from intermediates containing arsenic, to outside the system in stable form. A method of processing non-ferrous smelting intermediate containing arsenic in sulfide form and a non-ferrous smelting intermediate containing arsenic and copper as metal; a solution adjusting step of adding an oxidation agent to the leaching solution to oxidize trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic and obtain an adjusting solution; and a crystallization step of converting arsenic in the adjusted solution to scorodite crystals.
US08092764B2	Method of processing non-ferrous smelting intermediate containing arsenic Provided is a method of easily producing easily-filterable and stable scorodite that meets the leaching standard (conformance to Japanese Environmental Agency Notice 13) with excellent reproducibility and without using complex operations, when processing arsenic that is included in non-ferrous smelting intermediates, and particularly when processing arsenic in the form of a sulfide. Scorodite is produced by a leaching step of leaching arsenic from a non-ferrous melting intermediate containing arsenic in the weakly acid region, a solution adjusting step of oxidizing trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic by adding an oxidizing agent to the leaching solution, and a crystallizing step of converting the arsenic in the adjusted solution to scorodite crystals.
US08092755B2	Devices for injection of gaseous streams into a bed of fluidized solids Injection nozzles for use in a gas distribution device are disclosed. In one aspect, the injection nozzle may include: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of flow restriction orifices. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an injection nozzle for use in a gas distribution device, the injection nozzle including: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an annular orifice surrounding a flow restriction device. Injection nozzles according to embodiments disclosed herein may be disposed in a gas distribution manifold used in a vessel, for example, for conducting polymerization reactions, spent catalyst regeneration, and coal gasification, among others.
US08092753B2	Porous bodies and methods Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.
US08092747B2	Modular reactor for exothermic/endothermic chemical reactions Modular reactor for exothermic/endothermic chemical reactions which take place in three-phase systems, comprising a series of modules, superimposed with respect to each other, fixed to each other by means of coupling flanges, each module consisting of an external cylindrical body and a series of tube bundles, for the circulation of a thermal-exchange fluid, positioned inside said body.
US08092746B2	Catalytic purification device A catalytic purification device including a substrate permeable to exhaust gases, is optionally impregnated with catalytic materials, and is provided with an upstream face and an opposing downstream face; and an envelope containing the permeable substrate and defining an enclosure provided with an inlet line and an outlet line, between which the permeable substrate is arranged, the upstream face of the permeable substrate projecting along the extension of the inlet line, and the axis of the inlet line defining, with the upstream face (14A), an angle smaller than 20°. The envelope includes a deflector arranged at the outlet of the inlet line, the deflector being inclined towards the upstream face and used to orient the exhaust gases escaping from the inlet line towards the permeable substrate. The envelope also includes elements for creating turbulence in the flow along the upstream face.
US08092745B2	Magnetic sensor, production method of the same, and target substance detecting apparatus and biosensor kit using the same The present invention provides a magnetic sensor which detects a target substance indirectly by making a labeling substance larger than the target substance bond with the target substance contained in a sample in a detection area, and detecting the labeling substance, comprising a capture area which is relatively easy to capture the target substance, and a non-capture area which is relatively hard to capture the target substance, on a surface of a member which is comprised in a detection area, wherein the capture area is surrounded by the non-capture area. Thereby, the sensor enables to detect comparatively accurately the number and concentration of substances which cannot be directly detected, and enables to be used for detection of various target substances.
US08092739B2	Retro-percussive technique for creating nanoscale holes A method of forming extremely small pores in glass or a similar substrate, useful, for example, in patch clamp applications, that employs a backer plate to contain energy of a laser-induced ablation through the front surface of the substrate so as to create a rear surface shock wave providing a fire polishing of the exit aperture of the pore such as produces improved sealing with cell membranes.
US08092737B2	Method of micro/nano imprinting Disclosed is a method of micro/nano imprinting, which applies soft mold, pre-shaping sealing film, and soft holder arrangements to the micro/nano structure imprinting process of the curved substrates. The method of the present invention can prevent the curved surface from crumbling, which may result from high gas pressuring, and can obtain uniform imprinting pressure distribution throughout the whole curved substrate. Moreover, replicating micro/nano structures onto double-sided curve, both convex and concave, surfaces can also be achieved.
US08092733B2	In mold lamination of decorative products A method of manufacturing decorative plastic composites having a decorative layer, a backing layer and a clear outer layer which provides exceptional “depth of image” is disclosed. Decorative or protective appliqués' having a wide range of decorative patterns may be formed by injection molding a backing layer behind and a clear outer layer on the top surface of a relatively thin foil, film, fabric, veneer or sheet of paper.
US08092730B2	Molded rotatable base for a porous pad A rotatable base for a porous pad has openings that provide for improved flow distribution of a liquid in the base across a substrate. The rotatable base can be molded from a two piece mold and the openings can have draft angles to facilitate the molding process.
US08092728B2	Skid base for portable building A molded plastic skid base for a resin building is formed with all of its openings facing downward and with runners integral with a deck that forms a floor of the base. Replaceable wear plates cover the bottoms of the runners and have truck loading notches molded at their ends and a longitudinal channel in which fastener heads are positioned. Stake down slots are provided in the ends of the runners and wear plates in a diagonal orientation so as to be aligned toward the center of the building, below the base. The floor of the base is a grid formed of diagonally oriented ribs, at least some of which may be shorter in their center than at their ends, is crowned in the center and has openings which taper upwardly. A solid sheet may be placed over the grid to close it. Bosses for receiving the wear plate mounting fasteners are positioned at the same locations along the sides of the base as the fastener mounting locations for attaching the building side walls to the base, to provide a greater thickness of material at those locations for the building sidewall fasteners to penetrate. Edges of a septic tank opening formed in the base are slanted downwardly and rear corners of the opening are triangular in shape. Downwardly opening openings are also formed in the base into which weights and weight covers may be fixed.
US08092726B2	Polarized lens and method of making polarized lens Method of making eyeglass lens are disclosed where the lens are made of layers which include an outer, convex hard coating, a layer of hard epoxy, a laminated PVA film where one of the layer of the PVA film is dipped in high contrast dye, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating. Other methods configuration of lens also include a camouflaged patterned lens, a layer of hard epoxy, a polyurethane mixture, a laminated PVA film where one of the layer of the PVA film is dipped with high contrast dye, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating.
US08092725B2	Apparatus and method for forming optical element An apparatus for forming an optical element. The apparatus includes a pair of forming molds each of which has a facing surface facing each other. At least one of the pair of the forming molds is made so as to allow a hardening energy to pass through itself. A frame-like mold member is provided so as to be interposed between the facing surfaces of the pair of the forming molds to cover an outer peripheral portion which each of the forming molds has on its facing surface, thereby defining a cavity. In the thus arranged apparatus, an energy hardening resin is filled into the cavity and then hardened by being subjected to the hardening energy passing through the at least one of the pair of the forming molds.
US08092723B2	Method of producing a diffraction grating element An optical diffraction grating (10) is produced by providing a mold (50) having a plurality of inclined grooves (58), which have a small clearance angle (γ). The mold (50) is covered by a curable material (M1). Said material is subsequently cured, i.e. hardened, and separated from the mold (50) to provide the diffraction grating (10). The inclined orientation of the grooves (58) allows expansion or contraction of the grating during the curing and separation steps such that the probability of mold breakage may be reduced. The inclined orientation of the grooves may also facilitate the separation of the grating (10) from the mold (50).
US08092722B2	Varnish compositions for electrical insulation and method of using the same A varnish composition for producing an electrically insulative thermoset coating is disclosed. The varnish composition comprises a functionalized poly(phenylene ether), an unsaturated polyester, and/or a vinylester resin. The varnish composition further comprises a reactive liquid monomer and a block copolymer comprising a poly(olefin) block, or a poly(diolefin) block, and at least one terminal poly(alkenyl aromatic) block comprising repeat units derived from an alkenyl aromatic monomer. When cured, the polymers and reactive liquid monomer forms an electrically insulative thermoset that provides superior crack resistance.
US08092721B2	Deposition of ternary oxide films containing ruthenium and alkali earth metals Methods and compositions for the deposition of ternary oxide films containing ruthenium and an alkali earth metal.
US08092717B2	Thermoplastic poly(arylene ether) / polyester blends and articles thereof Disclosed herein is a polymer composition comprising: a poly(arylene ether); a polyester; electrically conductive filler, and an impact modifier. The composition has a continuous phase comprising polyester and a disperse phase comprising poly(arylene ether). The amount of the disperse phase is less than 35 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.
US08092715B2	Formulations and method for raising the flash points of volatile organic solvents A terpene alcohol premix formulation raises the flash point of a volatile organic solvent to a level that results in a solvent solution that is less volatile. The catalytic formulation consists of a blend of two or more terpene alcohols and acetone. The blended terpene alcohols are present in the catalytic formulation in an amount of from about 5% to about 40%, by weight, based on the total weight of the terpene alcohol premix formulation. The remainder of the terpene alcohol premix formulation consists of from about 60% to about 95% acetone, by weight, based on the total weight of the terpene alcohol premix formulation.
US08092708B2	Composition for remediation of waste water A non-toxic waste water treatment composition is provided. The waste water treatment composition is formed from: (a) an alkanolamide; (b) an ethoxylated alkylphenol, ethoxylated aryl phenol, or combination thereof; (c) a first surfactant selected from the group consisting of: an ethoxylated alcohol, a glycerol ester, a propoxylated fatty acid, an ethoxylated fatty acid, a propoxylated alcohol, an ethoxylated alcohol, a propoxylated alkyl phenol, an ethoxylated alkyl phenol, and a combination thereof; (d) a second surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a sulfosuccinate, a sulfosuccinate derivative, an imidazoline, an imidazoline derivative, and a combination thereof; and (e) optionally, a foaming agent. Methods for forming the non-toxic composition and for treating waste water with the composition are also provided. Finally an apparatus for introducing a waste water treatment composition into a waste water system is provided. The apparatus includes tubing for delivering the waste water treatment composition to at least one spray nozzle and a swivel fitting connecting the tubing to the spray nozzle. The spray nozzle is configured to deliver the waste water treatment composition into the waste water system, and the swivel fitting permits 360 degree rotation of the spray nozzle around the tubing.
US08092707B2	Compositions and methods for modifying a surface suited for semiconductor fabrication The disclosure pertains to compositions and methods for modifying or refining the surface of a wafer suited for semiconductor fabrication. The compositions include working liquids useful in modifying a surface of a wafer suited for fabrication of a semiconductor device. In some embodiments, the working liquids are aqueous solutions of initial components substantially free of loose abrasive particles, the components including water, a surfactant, and a pH buffer exhibiting at least one pKa greater than 7. In certain embodiments, the pH buffer includes a basic pH adjusting agent and an acidic complexing agent, and the working liquid exhibits a pH from about 7 to about 12. In further embodiments, the disclosure provides a fixed abrasive article comprising a surfactant suitable for modifying the surface of a wafer, and a method of making the fixed abrasive article. Additional embodiments describe methods that may be used to modify a wafer surface.
US08092702B2	Method of multi-stage substrate etching and terahertz oscillator manufactured using the same method A method of multi-stage substrate etching and a terahertz oscillator manufactured by using the method are provided. The method comprises the steps of forming a first mask pattern on any one surface of a first substrate, forming a hole by etching the first substrate using the first mask pattern as an etching mask, bonding, to the first substrate, a second substrate having the same thickness as a depth to be etched, forming a second mask pattern on the second substrate bonded, forming a hole by etching the second substrate using the second mask pattern as an etching mask, and removing an oxide layer having the etching selectivity between the first substrate and the second substrate, whereby the etched bottom is made uniformly even in a deep step, the edge curvature is minimized, and a T-shape is prevented from being formed on the etched wall face to thereby improve the etching quality. Further, the etching depth is previously controlled by lapping or polishing, the upper and lower substrates are precisely boned to each other using the alignment key, and a multi-layer processing is possibly performed thereto, so that the precision and the uniformity in structure of the oscillator or amplifier is obtained.
US08092698B2	Methods of forming semiconductor devices formed by processes including the use of specific etchant solutions The present invention provides etchant solutions including deionized water and an organic acid having a carboxyl radical and a hydroxyl radical. Methods of forming magnetic memory devices are also disclosed.
US08092694B2	Secondary filtration device applicable to a three-phase process The present invention describes a device allowing secondary filtration of catalyst particles contained in an effluent from a process comprising a reactor operated in three-phase mode.
US08092691B2	Method and apparatus for separating particles from a liquid A method and device for separating particles from a liquid having particles therein, using a filter sized to permit the liquid to flow through pores, while retaining a substantial portion of the particles on the filter, with an absorbent layer contacting the back of the filter to facilitate liquid movement away from the particles.
US08092687B2	Method and installation for treating an aqueous phase containing an adsorbent used material The invention relates to a method and installation for treatment of an aqueous phase containing a used adsorbent powdery material, such as activated carbon powder, from a water purification or potabilization installation, wherein said method includes: a first step of desorbing the main part of the organic matter adsorbed on the used adsorbent powdery material consisting of placing said aqueous phase containing the used adsorbent powdery material in contact with a desorbent compound resulting in a first aqueous phase containing at least partially regenerated adsorbent powdery material and desorbed organic matter; a first step of separating by sedimentation the main part of the desorbed organic matter from the rest of the first aqueous phase containing the at least partially regenerated adsorbent powdery material leading to the production of a second aqueous phase containing the at least partially regenerated adsorbent powdery material; a first step of neutralizing said second aqueous phase containing the at least partially regenerated adsorbent powdery material; a second step of separating the at least partially regenerated adsorbent powdery material from said second aqueous phase leading to the production of a third aqueous phase containing the at least partially regenerated adsorbent powdery material.
US08092685B1	High-efficiency bioreactor and method of use thereof Methods and systems for growing algae are disclosed. For example, disclosed is an exemplary bioreactor for growing algae that includes a chamber, a liquid-permeable membrane that includes a plurality of hollow fiber membranes disposed within the chamber. Each hollow fiber membrane can include a hollow interior and may be made of a liquid-permeable, algae-impermeable membrane, and each hollow fiber membrane may be disposed within the chamber. The respective interiors of the hollow fiber membranes may at least partially define an inner-capillary space (ICS). The interior of the chamber and respective exteriors of the hollow fiber membranes may at least partially define an extra-capillary space (ECS). When algae is grown in the ECS, lipids produced by the algae may be extracted from the ECS to the ICS via the hollow fiber membranes without killing the majority of algae and while containing the algae to the ECS.
US08092683B2	Multi-modal ion exchange chromatography resins The present invention relates to a method of preparing a library of resins which are useful in chromatography, which method comprises creating a diversity of multi-modal ion exchange resins; and providing the diversity in a parallel system in which each resin is presented separated from the other resin(s).
US08092680B2	System and method for anaerobic digestion of biomasses Provided herein are methods and system for the production of biogas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified Class A Biosolids, and pathogen reduced organic liquid fertilizer. Through the digestion of waste materials using sequential phases in an efficient digestion process, enhanced biomass conversion efficiency and improved output of products (in quantity and/or quality) are obtained with a significant reduction in dwell time in each phase.
US08092679B1	Floating aquatic plant culture systems and associated methods A floating plant culture system has improved strength and durability and includes a substantially planar platform having a length along opposed sides thereof and a width along front and back thereof generally perpendicular to the sides. The platform is adapted for growing a culture of attached plants including micro- and macrophytes thereon. Beneath the platform are affixed a plurality of cells extending in bridging relation to the sides and open at each end adjacent the sides. The cells are placeable in fluid communication with a body of water desired to be remediated. Affixed along at least a portion of the sides extend a pair of opposed hollow beams, for providing flotation to the platform. The beams are also placeable in fluid communication with the body of water, and an upper surface of the platform is floodable by the body of water from beneath for submerging plants attached thereto.
US08092678B2	Systems and methods for wastewater treatment A method of wastewater treatment is described. The method includes: (i) receiving wastewater; (ii) performing a first type of treatment on wastewater to produce wastewater having a first property which is capable of changing; (iii) preventing the first property from changing; (iv) performing a second type of treatment on wastewater; and wherein the first property includes at least one property selected from a group consisting of biochemical oxygen demand (“BOD”) level, dissolved oxygen level, solid content and nutrient level.
US08092676B2	Tank for a system that outputs liquid at a user-defined constant temperature A tank for use in a system that outputs a liquid at a user defined constant temperature in order to regulate the temperature of a piece of equipment includes a body of material defining a chamber for receiving and storing the liquid. The top wall has a fill port and one of the other walls includes an outlet port. An auxiliary port and fluid return port are also included. The body further includes a well, sized to accommodate a deionizer cartridge, extending down into the chamber from an opening in top wall that can be removed. A flow velocity reducer is disposed in the auxiliary port for reducing the velocity of the liquid entering the auxiliary port from the return fluid port and then passing into the fill port so that the liquid does not spray or splash onto the walls of the fill port.
US08092675B2	Energy generation methods and systems for swimming pools and other vessels with recirculating fluid Detailed is electricity generation for powering devices associated with swimming pools or other structures utilizing recirculating fluid. The recirculating fluid is used to produce electricity for direct or indirect supply to electrical devices. Turbines may be placed in by-pass channels so as to have access to some fluid flow yet not unduly disrupt main flow of the recirculating fluid.
US08092673B2	Treatment device for cooling and magnetically treating liquid within a container and associated methods A treatment device for magnetically treating liquid in a liquid container includes a container holder to receive the liquid container. An active cooling unit is associated with the container holder to cool the liquid within the liquid container. At least one magnet associated with the container holder to generate a magnetic field within the liquid in the liquid container.
US08092669B2	System and method of examining trace organic matters in living being's urine A method and a system of examining trace organic matter in urine are provided. The system includes a polarograph having a graphite electrode and a metal electrode; a data examining device having a memory device stored with a standard determination module, a comparison module and a display device for operating interface and displaying results. The examining method is to utilize a polarograph for examining living being's urine and store the polarogram produced by the polarograph in memory device. Then utilizing a comparison module to process comparison of the graph data of a polarogram with a standard determination module to examine the composition and quantity of an organic matter in urine, and displaying the result on a display device.
US08092667B2	Electroplating method for depositing continuous thin layers of indium or gallium rich materials An electrochemical deposition method to form uniform and continuous Group IIIA material rich thin films with repeatability is provided. Such thin films are used in fabrication of semiconductor and electronic devices such as thin film solar cells. In one embodiment, the Group IIIA material rich thin film is deposited on an interlayer that includes 20-90 molar percent of at least one of In and Ga and at least 10 molar percent of an additive material including one of Cu, Se, Te, Ag and S. The thickness of the interlayer is adapted to be less than or equal to about 20% of the thickness of the Group IIIA material rich thin film.
US08092665B2	Expanding cam lock for sealing slab gels in an electrophoresis apparatus An expanding cam lock for use with an electrophoresis system is disclosed herein. The cam lock allows the simultaneous use of multiple slab gel cassettes in first and second buffer core assemblies in an electrophoresis system while maintaining the necessary compressive force to create a liquid-tight seal between the anode and cathode buffer solutions. In one example embodiment, the expanding cam lock includes a base plate with a first surface adapted to engage the first buffer core assembly and a follower plate having second surface adapted to engage the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam. The base plate and the follower plate are slidably coupled together and are designed for insertion between the first buffer core assembly and the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam in the electrophoresis container. A cam is positioned between and moveably coupled with the base plate and the follower plate. The cam is movable from a first position to a second position to urge the first and second surfaces to secure the gel cassette to the first and second buffer core assemblies. Also provided herein is a buffer displacement dam. Also provided herein are kits and assemblies which incorporate the expanding cam and buffer displacement dam described herein.
US08092656B2	Method and apparatus for high efficiency evaporation operation A process for treatment of an aqueous stream to produce a low solute containing distillate stream and a high solute/solids containing blowdown stream utilizing a method to increase the efficiency of an evaporator while providing an essentially scale free environment for the heat transfer surface. Multi-valent ions and non-hydroxide alkalinity are removed from aqueous feed streams to very low levels and then the pH is increased preferably to about 9 or higher to increase the ionization of low ionizable constituents in the aqueous solution. In this manner, species such as silica and boron become highly ionized, and their solubility in the concentrated solution that is present in the evaporation equipment is significantly increased. The result of this is high allowable concentration factors and a corresponding increase in the recovery of high quality reusable water with essentially no scaling.
US08092655B2	Dividing wall column for fractionation of a multicomponent mixture A dividing wall column is described which includes the following segments:a) an upper column region (1),b) an enrichment section (2) of the feed section,c) a stripping section (4) of the feed section,d) an upper part (3) of the offtake section,e) a lower part (5) of the offtake section,f) an intermediate region (9) of the feed section,g) an intermediate region (10) of the offtake section andh) a lower column region (6).The dividing wall column has a dividing wall (7) is located vertically between the segments b) (2) and d) (3) and between the segments c) (4) and e) (5). The segments b) (2), d) (3), c) (4) and e) (5) have separation-active internals, Segment b (2) has a cross-sectional area Ab which is at least 10% smaller than the cross-sectional area Ad of segment d) (3), and segment c) has a cross-sectional area Ac which is at least 10% greater than the cross-sectional area Ae of segment e) (5).
US08092654B2	Process belt for papermaking and method for making the same A process belt for papermaking with a long operational life comprises an integrated structure of a reinforcing fibrous base material 6 and a polyurethane layer, the reinforcing fibrous base material being embedded in the polyurethane, wherein an inorganic filler selected from calcined kaolin clay, fused silica and zeolite is homogeneously dispersed in the polyurethane.
US08092652B2	Advanced dewatering system System for drying a tissue or hygiene web. The system includes a permeable structured fabric carrying the web over a drying apparatus. A permeable dewatering fabric contacts the web and is guided over the drying apparatus. A mechanism is used to apply pressure to the permeable structured fabric, the web, and the permeable dewatering fabric at the drying apparatus. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08092648B2	Regenerated cotton board material and method of manufacture The present disclosure includes a regenerated cotton board material comprised of dry cut cotton lint fiber, and wood fiber. The regenerated cotton board material may further include non-cellulosic fibers such as synthetic fibers or other natural fibers. In an alternate embodiment, a cotton board material may be manufactured from a mixture of dry cut cotton lint fiber and a binder material. A method for forming a regenerated cotton board material according to the present disclosure includes forming an aqueous slurry fiber furnish from a combination of dry cut cotton lint fiber, and wood fiber. The fiber furnish is then wet processed, calendered to remove the bulk of the water, and dried.
US08092644B2	Method and apparatus for cleaning and surface conditioning objects using plasma An apparatus and method for cleaning objects using plasma are disclosed. The apparatus provides a plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members arranged adjacent each other, a plurality of electrodes each contained within, and extending substantially along the length of, the plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members, and at least one buss bar for electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to a voltage source. The method provides providing a plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members arranged adjacent each other, providing a plurality of electrodes each contained within, and extending substantially along the length of the plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members, providing at least one buss bar connected to the plurality of electrodes, electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to a voltage source through the at least one buss bar, introducing the objects proximate the plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members, generating a dielectric barrier discharge between the plurality of dielectric barrier members and the objects; and forming plasma to clean at least a portion of the objects.
US08092639B2	Plasma reactor with feed forward thermal control system using a thermal model for accommodating RF power changes or wafer temperature changes A plasma reactor having a reactor chamber and an electrostatic chuck with a surface for holding a workpiece inside the chamber includes a backside gas pressure source coupled to the electrostatic chuck for applying a thermally conductive gas under a selected pressure into a workpiece-surface interface formed whenever a workpiece is held on the surface and an evaporator inside the electrostatic chuck and a refrigeration loop having an expansion valve for controlling flow of coolant through the evaporator. The reactor further includes a temperature sensor in the electrostatic chuck and a memory storing a schedule of changes in RF power or wafer temperature. The reactor further includes a thermal model capable of simulating heat transfer between the evaporator and the surface based upon measurements from the temperature sensor, and a control processor coupled to the thermal model and to the memory and governing the backside gas pressure source in response to a prediction from the model of a change in the selected pressure that would compensate for the next scheduled change in RF power or implement the next scheduled change in wafer temperature.
US08092637B2	Manufacturing method in plasma processing apparatus A manufacturing method includes steps of: placing a film composed of dielectric, on the top surface of a sample stage, forming a film-like heater on the film made of the dielectric, supplying power to the heater to detect a temperature distribution, adjusting a resistance value of the heater on the basis of a result of detection of a temperature distribution so that the temperature distribution has a predetermined value, and then forming the film composed of the dielectric, on the heater.
US08092636B2	Anisotropic conductive adhesive An anisotropic conductive adhesive for anisotropic conductive connection of an electronic component to a wiring board under no pressure or a low pressure is prepared by dispersing conductive particles in a binder resin composition. A metal flake powder having a major axis of 10 to 40 μm, a thickness of 0.5 to 2 μm, and an aspect ratio of 5 to 50, is used as the conductive particles. The amount of the conductive particles contained in the anisotropic conductive adhesive is 5 to 35 mass %. This anisotropic conductive adhesive is supplied to a connection terminal of a wiring board, and a connection terminal of an electronic component is preliminarily connected to a connection terminal of a substrate while arranging the anisotropic conductive adhesive therebetween. Then, the electronic component is heated without applying a pressure or while applying a low pressure to the electronic component to connect the substrate with the electronic component.
US08092633B2	IC tag, pneumatic tire fitted with the same, and method of fitting IC tag Deadhesion of an IC tag inlet during vulcanization molding of tire is suppressed, while preventing adhesion of a portion other than a sticking out portion. An IC tag comprises a sheet-like IC tag inlet 2, a protective cover 3 of an unvulcanized rubber sheet adhered to the surface Sf of the inlet 2 through a primer layer 10 and an adhesive layer 11, and an antiadhesive layer 4 formed on the rear surface Sr of the inlet 2, wherein a maximum value Ga′max of storage shear modulus Ga′ of a rubber of the protective cover 3 at a temperature of 150 to 200° C. and a storage shear modulus Gb′0 of the primer layer 10 at a temperature T0 showing the maximum value Ga′max satisfy the following equation: Ga′max×10−2
US08092631B2	Apparatus and die for welding plastic and a method of use thereof An apparatus for welding a first plastic sheet to a second plastic sheet is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate die including a channel extending longitudinally along the die's welding face. In combination with a plate and a high frequency alternating current generator, the die and the plate are operable to compress the first and second plastic sheets in an overlapping arrangement and generate a high frequency alternating electromagnetic field between the die and the plate and weld the first and second plastic sheets to one another. The depth of the die channel prevents the formation of an electromagnetic field that is strong enough to weld the first and second plastic sheets in an area between the die channel and the plate. A die for use in such an apparatus and a method of use thereof are further provided.
US08092624B2	Bonding material composition and method for manufacturing the same, and joined body and method for manufacturing the same There is provided a bonding material composition for obtaining a joined body by unitarily joining two or more members to be joined by means of a bonding material layer, wherein the bonding material composition contains flat particles, non-flat particles, smectite-based clay, and an inorganic adhesive as main components. The bonding material composition costs little, can relax thermal stress generated in the joined body without using fibers which may do harm to a human body, and can reduce defects such as a crack and a void upon drying or a thermal treatment.
US08092618B2	Surface passivation technique for reduction of fouling The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the formation of foulant deposits on petroleum processing equipment. The invention involves a first mixture comprising an acid phosphate ester. The first mixture is applied to the surface of the petroleum processing equipment at a high temperature. Then a second mixture comprising a metal salt is applied also at a high temperature. The result is sufficient to provide an effective coating that prevents the formation of foulant deposits on the petroleum processing equipment. The second mixture reacts with any polyphosphate in the coating to prevent any contamination of petroleum materials within the petroleum processing equipment.
US08092616B2	Method for producing a giant magnetostrictive alloy A rapidly solidified Fe—Ga alloy containing 15 to 23 atomic percent of Ga having a particular rapidly solidified texture is formed into slices which are laminated to each other in a die, or is formed into a powder or chops which are filled in the die. Subsequently, spark plasma sintering is performed so that bonds between the slices, grains of the powder, or the chops are formed at a high density to form a bulk alloy and the rapidly solidified texture is not lost, followed by annealing whenever necessary, so that a magnetostriction of 170 to 230 ppm at room temperature is obtained.
US08092615B2	Composition for producing soft magnetic composites by powder metallurgy The invention concerns powder compositions consisting of electrically insulated particles of a soft magnetic material of an iron or iron-based powder and 0.1-2% by weight of a lubricant selected from the group consisting of fatty acid amides having 14-22 C atoms. Optionally a thermoplastic binder such as polyphenylene sulphide may be included in the composition. The invention also concerns a method for the preparation of soft magnetic composite components.
US08092614B2	Conveyor dishwasher comprising a plurality of final-rinse liquid spray jets and method of use thereof Conveyor-type dish washer and method of operating it, wherein during a final-rinse operation at least from one side, preferably from each the two sides, of the items to be cleaned, at least two final-rinse liquid spray jets are sprayed in different directions in relation to each other, wherein at least one final-rinse liquid spray jet is inclined in the direction of the movement of a dish carrier and at least another final-rinse liquid spray jet is inclined against the direction of the movement of the dish carrier.
US08092612B2	Cooling method and cooling device A cooling device (70) for cooling a work piece (9) that has reached a high temperature due to the implementation of a closing operation in which a bottom portion (9c) is formed by closing an end portion of the tubular work piece (9) comprises a tilting mechanism (151) which tilts the work piece (9) such that the bottom portion (9c) faces downwards and a cooling water tank (155) storing cooling water. The bottom portion (9c) of the work piece (9) tilted by the tilting mechanism (151) is submerged in cooling water stored in the cooling water tank (155).
US08092611B2	Method and system for dishwasher operation A method, and corresponding system, for dishwasher operation including receiving an operation setting at a dishwasher to be performed by the dishwasher, where the dishwasher is configured to receive an input of electrical power at a defined operating voltage and frequency; and causing an operation of the dishwasher based on the operation setting by causing an inverter of the dishwasher to operate a pump motor of the dishwasher at an electrical power condition different from the defined operating voltage and frequency received at the dishwasher, where the electrical power condition at the pump motor causes the dishwasher to operate in accordance with a quiet dishwashing cycle, a high water pressure dishwashing cycle, a constant mass flow operation, or a minimum water use operation.
US08092609B2	Sucrose inversion process We disclose a method of inverting sucrose, including (i) determining an initial solids concentration of an aqueous sucrose solution (solidsi), an initial bed volume (BVi) of a sucrose inversion resin system, a minimum target inversion percentage (invert %min), a maximum target inversion percentage (invert %max), a target maximum hydroxymethylfuran (HMF) concentration (HMFmax), a minimum target pH (pHmin), or a maximum target pH (pHmax); (ii) contacting the sucrose inversion resin system with the aqueous sucrose solution under conditions of aqueous solution flow rate in BVi/hr (ratep) and aqueous solution temperature in ° C. (temperaturep) to produce an inverted sucrose solution having an inversion percentage (invert %product), an HMF concentration (HMFproduct), and a pH (pHproduct); (iii) observing an instantaneous inversion percentage (invert %inst), an instantaneous HMF concentration (HMFinst), or an instantaneous pH (pHinst) of the inverted sucrose solution; and, if invert %instinvert %max, HMFinst>HMFmax, pHinstpHmax; (iv) changing at least one of the aqueous solution flow rate or the aqueous solution temperature such that invert %min≦invert %product≦invert %max, HMFproduct≦HMFmax, or pHmin≦pHproduct≦pHmax. We also disclose a computing apparatus capable of use in performing a method of inverting sucrose.
US08092607B2	Transporting means and vacuum coating installation for substrates of different sizes In a vacuum coating installation to coat planar substrates, comprising a vacuum chamber and a transport device arranged in the vacuum chamber for transporting the substrates along a transportation path through the vacuum chamber, with the transport device comprising a multitude of transport rollers arranged successively along the transportation path, each transport roller is adapted to be mounted at least at two different positions, vertically distanced from each other. A carrier frame has a substrate accepting structure and a guiding rod arranged at the bottom of the carrier frame in the direction of transportation to create a friction connection with the transportation device, connected to the carrier frame at the connection points, with the guiding rod being connected at least at one connection point to the carrier frame such that a relative displacement is possible of the guiding rod relative to the carrier frame in the direction of transportation.
US08092605B2	Magnetic confinement of a plasma A method and apparatus for confining a plasma are provided herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for confining a plasma includes a substrate support and a magnetic field forming device for forming a magnetic field proximate a boundary between a first region disposed at least above the substrate support, where a plasma is to be formed, and a second region, where the plasma is to be selectively restricted. The magnetic field has b-field components perpendicular to a direction of desired plasma confinement that selectively restrict movement of charged species of the plasma from the first region to the second region dependent upon the process conditions used to form the plasma.
US08092597B2	Method and apparatus for fabricating crack-free Group III nitride semiconductor materials Method for producing a III-N (AlN, GaN, AlxGa(1-x)N) crystal by Vapor Phase Epitaxy (VPE), the method comprising: providing a reactor having: a growth zone for growing a III-N crystal; a substrate holder located in the growth zone that supports at least one substrate on which to grow the III-N crystal; a gas supply system that delivers growth material for growing the III-N crystal to the growth zone from an outlet of the gas supply system; and a heating element that controls temperature in the reactor; determining three growth sub-zones in the growth zone for which a crystal grown in the growth sub-zones has respectively a concave, flat or convex curvature; growing the III-N crystal on a substrate in a growth region for which the crystal has a by desired curvature.
US08092591B2	Light structural mortar compositions Light structural mortar compositions containing light loads, type II synthetic anhydrite and additives and methods for the production and use thereof are disclosed and described. Such compositions may be useful for application in ferro-cement constructive systems in order to provide thermal, acoustic and anti-seismic characteristics desirable for coating on interior and exterior walls and ceilings/roofs, as a substitution of cement-based mortar.
US08092588B2	Colloidal sealant composition The present invention relates to the addition of biocidal agents to colloidal silicate coating compositions, said compositions being useful for coating structures prepared from Portland cement compositions.
US08092587B2	Stable aqueous dispersions of precipitated silica The invention relates to stabilized dispersions of precipitated silicon dioxide, to a process for production thereof and to the use thereof, especially for production of paper coatings for glossy photo paper for inkjet printing.
US08092584B2	Glue from slaughterhouse animal blood Disclosed is a process for making an animal blood adhesive and the resulting adhesive composition. The adhesive is made by adding to fresh, whole animal blood, without dewatering the blood, an anticoagulant and a preservative. Lime is then added to the anticoagulated, preserved blood, and the pH is adjusted to between about 9 and about 11. A curing agent (such as potassium silicate, sodium silicate and aluminum dihydrogen phosphate) and ammonia are then added to the mixture to yield the animal blood adhesive. The adhesive can be made from any animal blood, such as bovine, porcine, or avian blood. The resulting adhesive is useful for adhering wood-based products, such as plywood and particle board.
US08092583B2	Ink set An ink set includes a cyan ink composition containing C.I. pigment blue 15:6 or C.I. pigment blue 60 as a pigment and a magenta ink composition containing at least one quinacridone pigment selected from the group consisting of C.I. pigment violet 19, C.I. pigment red 122, C.I. pigment red 202, and C.I. pigment red 209, or a quinacridone solid solution pigment formed of at least two selected from the above group, as a pigment.
US08092576B2	Mast electrode design A mast electrode design for a wet electrostatic precipitator including a first and a second electrode section connected together via a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes an axial protrusion extending from an end of the first electrode section which is inserted into an axial bore formed in an end of the second electrode section.
US08092572B2	Method of regulating the output of carbon monoxide in a metallurgical melting process In a method of regulating the output of CO in steel production, oxygen is introduced into a melt to remove carbon present, the actual value of the carbon stream evolved from the melt is determined, the intended value of the evolved carbon stream derived from the amount of oxygen introduced and the carbon content of the melt is calculated, intended and actual values are compared with one another and if the actual value is below the intended value, measures for preventing boiling are undertaken.
US08092570B2	Method for producing titanium metal A process and apparatus for producing titanium metal is described herein. The process comprises generating an RF thermal plasma discharge using a plasma torch provided with an RF coil; reducing titanium tetrachloride to a titanium metal by supplying titanium tetrachloride and magnesium into the RF thermal plasma discharge; and collecting or depositing the titanium metal at a temperature not lower than the boiling point of magnesium chloride and not higher than the boiling point of the titanium metal.
US08092568B2	Ceramic honeycomb filter and its production method A ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a honeycomb structure having large numbers of flow paths partitioned by porous cell walls, and plugs alternately formed in the flow paths on the exhaust-gas-inlet and outlet sides, the outlet-side plugs having porosity of 65% or less, and the upstream-side end surfaces of the outlet-side plugs having surface roughness Ra of 13-50 μm.
US08092567B2	Flexible size adjustable filter element with end-cap An air filter element partially-fabricated on site wherein one or more wire frames are fastened to one another to form a structure substantially conforming to the dimensions of the original equipment manufacturer's filter housing. One or more of the wire frames are flexibly attached to each other end-to-end by flexible attachment means, allowing the assembled filter unit to be inserted into the filter housing one frame at a time, with the frame sections yet to be inserted folded or directed off to one side, thus bypassing space restrictions. Flexible attachment means may comprise spring connectors. Also disclosed is an end-cap affixed to or formed at one or both ends of the filter element. The end-caps may also contain printed material, such as text or pictures, which may include instructions for use, identifying labels or symbols, or the like.
US08092558B2	Microchannel reactor module for hydrogen release There is disclosed a microchannel reactor module for the immediate catalytic release of hydrogen from hydrogenated organic molecules along with the recovery of hydrogen gas and the recovery of dehydrogenated organic molecules as a liquid. More specifically, the disclosure provides a polyimide-based microchannel plate that is particularly useful for a process of immediate catalytic release of hydrogen from a hydrogenated organic molecule or formulation of molecules.
US08092557B2	Water soluble polymer binder for lithium ion battery An electrode for a rechargeable lithium ion battery includes an electro-active material, a (polystyrenebutadiene rubber)-poly (acrylonitrile-co-acrylamide) polymer, and a conductive additive. A battery using the inventive electrode is also disclosed.
US08092556B2	Solid electrolytic condenser and apparatus and method for forming insulating layer of the solid electrolytic condenser The present invention provides a solid electrolytic condenser including a condenser element with anode polarity; an anode wire with one side inserted inside the condenser element and the other side projected outside the condenser element; and an insulating layer formed by coating one surface of the condenser element and an exposed region of the anode wire adjacent to the one surface of the condenser element with a liquid insulating material through a non-contact scattering method and an apparatus and a method for forming the insulating layer of the solid electrolytic condenser.
US08092551B2	Method for producing hosiery with aloe finish A method for producing pantyhose and other nylon or spandex hosiery with a long-lasting aloe finish is provided. A first step of the method is to place the pantyhose in a dye tub with a quantity of dye mix and ammonia sulfate. The contents of the dye tub are then heated until the pores in the nylon fibers of the pantyhose open and accept the dye molecules. A color fix is then added to the dye tub along with an acid substitute for creating a strong bond between the dye molecules and the nylon fibers. A softening mix containing a cationic nylon softener and a diluted silicone softener is then applied to the pantyhose. Lastly, an aloe finish containing a silicone micro-emulsion is added to the dye tub followed by another quantity of acid substitute for creating a strong bond between the aloe finish and the nylon fibers of the pantyhose.
US08092547B2	Subtalar implant assembly A subtalar implant device includes a rounded end cap region, a threaded region having threads, and a core having a first end, a second end, a core exterior and a longitudinal axis. The threads can have a shape that varies between the first end and the second end of the core. For example, the threads can include an outer edge having an edge width that varies. Further, the threads can include a thread depth that can vary between the first end and the second end of the core. A thread radius of curvature varies at a different rate than a core radius of curvature. The core can define one or more core apertures that extend through the core at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, two core apertures are positioned at an angle greater than zero degrees relative to each other.
US08092546B2	Knee arthroplasty prosthesis A knee arthroplasty prosthesis includes a femoral component having multiple pieces with engagement means provided for engaging various pieces of the femoral component to one another following their insertion in the incised area of the femur. A tibial component includes multiple pieces designed for assembly following positioning in the incision. The tibial component includes a Morse taper cavity on one piece of the tibial component and a Morse taper extension on another member of the component for receipt therein.
US08092544B2	Implantable patella component having a thickened superior edge An orthopaedic implant includes a patella component having a posterior bearing surface configured to articulate with the femoral condyles of a femur, and an anterior surface having a number of pegs extending outwardly therefrom. The superior edge of the patella component is thickened relative to conventional dome-shaped patella components.
US08092542B2	Implantable joint prosthesis The invention relates to a surgical implant that provides an artificial diarthroidal-like joint, suitable for use in replacing any joint, but particularly suitable for use as an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis. The invention contains two rigid opposing shells, each having an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that the shells are immobilized by friction between their outer surfaces and the surfaces of the bone. These outer surfaces are sufficiently rough that large frictional forces strongly resist any slippage between the outer surface and the bone surfaces in the joint. They may be convex, and when inserted into a milled concavity, are immediately mechanically stable. Desirably, the outer surfaces of the shells are adapted to allow for bony ingrowth, which further stabilizes the shells in place. The inner surfaces of the shells are relatively smooth, and adapted to slide easily across a portion of the outer surface of a central body disposed between the shells. The central body has a shape that cooperates with the shape of the inner surface of the shell so as to provide a range of motion similar to that provided by a healthy joint. A flexible sheath extends between edges of the opposing shells. The inner surface of this sheath, together with the inner surfaces of the rigid shells, defines a cavity encasing the central body. At least a portion of this cavity is filled with a fluid lubricant, further decreasing the frictional force between inner surfaces of the shell and the surface of the central body.
US08092540B2	Implant comprising a two-piece joint An implant, in particular an intervertebral implant, comprising (A) two articulating parts (4; 5) having each a central axis (1; 26), each a curved slide surface (6; 7) intersecting the central axes (1; 26), and each an axially outermost end (14; 15) that can be connected to a bone, where (B) the slide surfaces (6; 7) are curved and displaceable one on the other, where (D) the second articulating part (5) is rotatable about two mutually skewed axes of rotation (10; 11) relative to the first articulating part (4).
US08092539B2	Intervertebral spacer device having a belleville washer with concentric grooves An intervertebral spacer device may include first and second plates, each having inner and outer surfaces thereof, the plates may be disposed in a spaced apart relationship such that the inner surfaces face toward one another, and the outer surfaces face away from one another, the first plate including a retaining wall extending outwardly from the inner surface of the first plate; and a belleville washer, having narrow and wide ends thereof, may be disposed with said wide end contacting said inner surface of said first plate within said retaining wall, such that a compressive load applied to the outer surfaces of said plates is counteracted by said belleville washer, said belleville washer including a plurality of radially spaced concentric groove.
US08092535B2	Interspinous process implants and methods of use Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer extending from the first wing, and a distraction guide. The distraction guide is arranged in a first configuration to pierce and/or distract tissue associated with adjacent spinous processes extending from vertebrae of a targeted motion segment. The implant can be positioned between the adjacent spinous processes and once positioned, the implant can be arranged in a second configuration. When arranged in a second configuration, the distraction guide can act as a second wing. The first wing and the second wing can limit or block movement of the implant along a longitudinal axis of the implant.
US08092530B2	Cartilage implants Cartilage implant devices having oval articular ends are provided. The articular ends have a convex upper face and a concave lower face. The convex upper face has a first circular pitch radius and a first circular roll radius. The concave lower face has a first surface comprising a second circular pitch radius and a second circular roll radius, and at least two second surfaces each second surface having a third circular pitch radius and a third circular roll radius. The convex upper face blends into a rim, wherein at least a first and second portion of the rim extends at least a first distance along the vertical axis and a third and fourth portion of the rim tapers inward along the vertical axis, the rim blends into the concave lower face. The implant devices further have a stem extending from the concave lower face away from the convex upper face.
US08092522B2	Artificial valve prostheses with a free leaflet portion An implantable valve prosthesis including a frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal frame end and a distal frame end and a leaflet positioned within the lumen and having a distal edge attached to the frame and a proximal edge free of the frame. The leaflet includes a first and a second slit extending distally from the proximal edge and defining a free portion of the leaflet between the first and second slits. The leaflet is movable between a position that allows fluid flow in an antegrade direction and a second position that restricts flow in a retrograde direction.
US08092521B2	Device for the implantation and fixation of prosthetic valves A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stent is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).
US08092517B2	Device for regulating blood flow An implantable device for regulating blood flow through a blood vessel comprising an elongated support dimensioned and configured to be implanted in a blood vessel. The support includes a linking member linking axially spaced apart portions to one another. A valve membrane extends between the axially spaced apart support portions and includes first region folded over the first linking member and attached thereto and a second region adjacent the first region and unattached to the first linking member. The second region is movable between a first position to enable blood flow and a second position to inhibit blood flow.
US08092515B2	Energized stents and methods of using the same The present disclosure relates to surgical systems including energized/energizable stents, and methods of using the same in the prevention of restenosis. A surgical system for treating a stenosis and/or a restenosis site s provided. The surgical system includes an electrosurgical generator; an energy transmitting conduit connectable to the electrosurgical generator; and a stent positionable in a body lumen at a site of a stenosis. The stent is fabricated from an electrically conductive material and adapted to electrically communicate with the electrosurgical generator, and the energy transmitting conduit delivers electrosurgical energy to the site of the stenosis.
US08092512B2	Nested stent An intraluminally implantable stent is formed of helically wound wire. The stent has a generally elongate tubular configuration and is radially expandable after implantation in a body vessel. The wire includes successively formed waves along the length of the wire. When helically wound into a tube, the waves are longitudinally nested along the longitudinal extent of the stent so as to form a densely compacted wire configuration. After radial expansion the stent maintains high radial compressive strength and wire density to retard tissue ingrowth.
US08092507B2	Interstitial energy treatment probe holders An interstitial laser energy treatment apparatus having co-acting movable probe holders which facilitate positioning of a laser probe and thermal probe in different positions relative to a tissue mass such as the tumor to be treated and relative to each other to facilitate treating tissue masses based on the exact position, size and shape of the tissue mass.
US08092504B2	Pedicle screw systems and methods of assembling/installing the same The pedicle screw system may be used for fixation of spinal segments and may be advantageous when minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are employed. The pedicle screw system includes a tulip assembly comprising of a tulip body, a inner member, and an expansion member.Installation of the pedicle screw system into pedicles of the spine, for example, includes inserting the pedicle screw into a portion of the spine and then coupling the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw. The tulip assembly may be locked onto the pedicle screw before a distraction rod is placed in the tulip assembly. After the rod is placed in the tulip assembly, the tulip body and the inner member can be rotated relative to one another to lock the rod into the tulip assembly. In addition, the relative rotation may also provide additional locking of the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw.
US08092501B2	Dynamic spinal rod and method for dynamic stabilization of the spine A dynamic spinal rod for connecting levels of a dynamic stabilization system to support the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. Embodiments of the dynamic stabilization system have an anchor system, a deflection system, a vertical rod system and a connection system. The deflection system provides dynamic stabilization and load-sharing. The dynamic spinal rod connects different levels of the construct in a multilevel construct. The dynamic spinal rod cooperates with the deflection system to further reduce stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy.
US08092496B2	Methods and devices for posterior stabilization Various methods and devices for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column, are provided. In certain exemplary embodiments, a four bar linkage mechanism can be used to construct spinal stabilization devices and methods for restoring function to adjacent vertebrae. In particular, spinal stabilization devices can be provided that kinematically form a four-bar linkage mechanism with adjacent vertebrae and a disc or other element disposed between the adjacent vertebrae.
US08092495B2	Spinal platform and method for delivering a therapeutic agent to a spinal cord target A spinal platform for delivering a therapeutic agent to a spinal cord target includes a brace member for attachment to a plurality of bony structures surrounding at least a portion of the spinal cord target, a carriage member operatively coupled to and movable along the brace member, and a universal joint for adjusting the coronal or sagittal angle of a surgical instrument. The brace member includes at least one longitudinal rail and a plurality of attachment members. The plurality of attachment members is operably connected to the at least one longitudinal rail. The at least one longitudinal rail includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a middle portion extending between the proximal and distal end portions. The universal joint is seated within a portion of the carriage member and is capable of delivering the therapeutic agent to the spinal cord target.
US08092493B2	Surgical stapling apparatus with powered articulation The surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism for articulating a tool assembly. The articulation mechanism includes a first gear rotatably mounted on a transmission shaft and configured to engage a second gear, a clutch interconnecting the second gear and a main shaft; and a yoke shaft coupled to the main shaft and adapted to linearly advance a J-channel, the J-channel operatively connected to an articulation link. A motor assembly may rotate the transmission shaft of the articulation mechanism. Alternatively, the articulation mechanism may include an articulation knob. Users may manually rotate the articulation knob to articulate the tool assembly of the surgical stapling apparatus.
US08092490B2	Photochemical tissue bonding Photochemical tissue bonding methods include the application of a photosensitizer to a tissue and/or tissue graft, followed by irradiation with electromagnetic energy to produce a tissue seal. The methods are useful for tissue adhesion, such as in wound closure, tissue grafting, skin grafting, musculoskeletal tissue repair, ligament or tendon repair and corneal repair.
US08092489B2	Tissue grasping apparatus A tissue grasping apparatus includes a control member, an elongated shaft, and a tissue grasping member attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft. An activation mechanism provides an user-operable connection between the control member and the tissue grasping member. In an embodiment, the tissue grasping member includes a pair of jaws configured to open to an included angle between the jaws of 180 degrees or more. In an embodiment, the activation mechanism includes a flexible drive wire attached to the penetrating member.
US08092486B2	Everted filter device Everting filter devices and methods for using the devices, including using the devices as intra-vascular filters to filter thrombus, emboli, and plaque fragments from blood vessels. The filter devices include a filter body nominally tubular in shape and having a large proximal opening. The filter body can extend from a proximal first end region distally over the non-everted exterior surface of the filter, further extending distally to a distal-most region, then converging inwardly and extending proximally toward the filter second end region, forming a distal everted cavity. The degree of eversion of the filter can be controlled by varying the distance between the filter first end region near the proximal opening and the closed second end region. Bringing the filter first and second end regions closer together can bring filter material previously on the non-everted filter exterior to occupy the distal-most region.
US08092483B2	Steerable device having a corewire within a tube and combination with a functional medical component An integrated guiding device has a tube and a corewire within the tube and a torque coupler. The torque coupler can couple the rotational motion of the tube with the rotational motion of the corewire. The wire can be moved longitudinally at least some amount relative to the tube. The device can further comprise a functional medical structure, such as an embolism protection structure. The device can be used in medical procedures, such as less invasive procedures within the cardiovascular system. Improved fiber based embolism protection devices comprise fiber bundles that are twisted prior to delivery.
US08092482B2	Stented anchoring of gastric space-occupying devices Gastric space occupying devices are provided that include a stent configured for deployment in the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, and in particular, for deployment in the esophagus or the stomach. Secured to the stent is an expandable member that is adapted to reside within the patient's stomach. When expanded, the expandable member occupies a predefined volume within the patient's stomach and is further tethered to the deployed stent, thereby retaining or anchoring the expandable member within the stomach. Methods and systems for the deploying the space occupying devices are also provided.
US08092480B2	Platform cannula for guiding the expansion of expandable bodies and method of use This invention relates to devices, such as cannulas or needles, which are used for inserting expandable structures, such as medical balloons, into interior regions of a human or animal body, as well as methods for their use. In various embodiments, insertion devices described herein are capable of flaring at their tip to ease insertion and removal of expandable structures and reduce the risk of damaging such expandable structures during their insertion, inflation and removal. In other embodiments, insertion devices described herein are capable of directionally guiding and/or inhibiting expansion of an expandable structure within an interior region of an animal or human body to create optimally placed cavities for repair, augmentation and/or treatment of fractured and/or diseased bone.
US08092478B2	Device and method for maintaining unobstructed nasal passageways after nasal surgery Methods and devices for maintaining nasal passages open after nasal surgery are provided. In some embodiments, the method of the present invention includes initially cleaning at least some of the bodily fluids from the nasal passages of a patient after the nasal surgery; providing a post-operative device having a first tubular member with a first proximal end and a first distal end, and a second tubular member with a second proximal end and a second distal end, where the first proximal end is connected to the second proximal end with a bridging member, and the post-operative device is splintless; inserting the first distal end and the second distal end into the nasal passages of the patient to a location where the first proximal end and the second proximal end each protrude beyond the nostril opening of the patient; and placing a packing material at least partially around each tubular member. In some embodiments of the present invention, a specialized speculum is provided to facilitate placing packing material around the tubular members of the medical device. Medical kits for use following nasal surgery are also provided.
US08092477B2	Device for making a cut in a tissue A device (1) for making a cut in a tissue, such as a blood vessel (2), capsule and the like, includes a trocar (3), the distal end (4) of which can be placed on the tissue (2) and inside which trocar (3) a reduced pressure can be generated for holding the tissue pressed against the distal end (3) under the influence of the reduced pressure, as well as a cutting member (6) located in the trocar (3), such that the tissue (2) pressed against the distal end (4) and the cutting member (6) can be moved relative to one another to make the cut (9). A tissue support (10) is provided in the trocar (3) close to the distal end (4) thereof with which the tissue (2) that extends over the lumen of the trocar (3) can make contact under the influence of the reduced pressure inside the trocar (3).
US08092476B2	Adjustable cap and lancing device and method of use Disclosed are cap embodiments each comprising a body having a skin-engaging end defining a piercing aperture, a lancet receiver, and an intermediate member. A first cam path is located on one of the lancet receiver and the intermediate member, and a first cam follower is located on the other of the lancet receiver and the intermediate member that engages the first cam path. A second cam path is located on one of the cap body and the intermediate member, and a second cam follower is located on the other of the cap body and the intermediate member that engages the second cam path. The first and second cam paths are configured such that rotation of the intermediate member by an actuating mechanism causes the cap body to move forward and rearward and the lancet receiver to move forward and rearward. Also disclosed are lancing devices and methods of use.
US08092470B2	Calculus crushing apparatus and medical procedure using endoscope An apparatus includes a crushing part which rotates and crushes the calculus, wherein a radius of rotation of the crushing part with respect to a rotation axis thereof increases or decreases in accordance with a rotation speed of the crushing part.
US08092467B1	Apparatus and method facilitating removal of a structure implanted in a body An apparatus and method facilitating removal, from a body, of an implanted elongated structure with a lumen such as a lead or catheter, comprises a plurality of wire stylets that are inserted together into the lumen and subsequently moved relative to each other in a longitudinal direction by manipulation at the proximal end. The stylets have dimensional features on their adjacent sides that mate together to minimize the overall diameter of the stylet assembly during insertion into the lumen. Interaction of the features on the stylets' adjacent sides, resulting from the subsequent relative displacement, causes the assembly to expand radially. The expansion is sufficient to engage the luminal surface of the implanted structure, thereby allowing traction forces to be applied, while minimizing deformation of the implanted structure. If repositioning of the apparatus is necessary, the stylets may be returned to initial relative positions, reestablishing a minimal overall diameter.
US08092466B2	Expandable reverse shoulder trial An expandable shoulder trial for a reverse shoulder system is described. The trial includes a rotatably adjustable insert housed within a humeral cup. The insert has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a concave recess therein adapted to receive a glenosphere prosthesis. The distal end of the insert includes a shaft, the shaft having a helical groove disposed on at least a portion thereof. A distal end of the humeral cup is inserted in a humeral stem. The humeral cup has a proximal end including a recess therein, the recess defined by a circular wall. A guide pin protrudes from the circular wall and is adapted to engage the helical groove of the shaft of the insert. The proximal end of the insert may rotate along an axis toward the proximal end of the humeral cup and along the same axis away from the proximal end of the humeral cup.
US08092459B2	Percutaneous spinal implants and methods A method provides for the insertion of an implant between adjacent bone structures. For example, an implant is inserted between adjacent spinous processes. The implant can be advanced within a body to a location between adjacent bone structures with an insertion tool and guided by a path defined by a guide member releasably coupled to the guide member. For example, the guide member can define a curved path through the body and a portion of the path goes between the adjacent bone structures.
US08092458B2	Magnetic targeting system and method of using the same The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.
US08092455B2	Device and method for operating a tool relative to bone tissue and detecting neural elements An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system change an operative mode of the tool portion.
US08092452B2	Percutaneous delivery system for treatment of osteonecrosis of the hip and methods of use thereof Systems, methods, and carriers for percutaneous delivery of growth factors to treat osteonecrosis in the hip and other locations are disclosed. A rolled carrier comprising a biphasic ceramic rolled by a collagen sponge, and carrying a growth factor, are inserted via a delivery tube or cannula into a pre-formed hole in bone without overstuffing of the carrier or growth factor.
US08092448B2	Cryosurgical system with low pressure cryogenic fluid supply A liquid cryogen fluid system for providing cryogenic liquid to a cryoprobe in a cryosurgical system for treating fibroadenomas and other lesions in the body. The system includes a cryoprobe to cryoablate a fibroademona with a treatment regimen that takes less time and consumes less cryogen than currently accepted regimens.
US08092443B2	Element for implantation with medical device A therapeutic agent eluting element includes an elongate body member and one or more therapeutic agents elutable from the body member. The elongate body member is configured to be implanted subcutaneously along side of a therapy delivery element. The elongate body member may be formed from a polymeric material, and the agent eluting element may consist essentially of the body member and the one or more therapeutic agents. The therapeutic agent eluting element may be a part of a system or kit that includes a therapy delivery element and a tunneling tool, such as a dilator, sheath, catheter passer, or the like.
US08092442B2	Absorbing article A pants type absorbing article (10) comprises an absorbing body (3) including an absorber (30), and an enclosure (2) equipped with a ventral portion (2a), a dorsal portion (2b) and a portion (2c) from the crotch to the cuff located therebetween and makes the absorbing body (3) adhere to the portion (2c) from the crotch to the cuff, wherein the enclosure (2) is provided, at a lower part of the ventral portion (2a), with an opening (5) having a cut (50) along the width direction and opening when the upper and lower parts of the cut (50) are pulled in the direction separating from each other, the absorbing body (3) is arranged across the opening (5) from the portion (2c) from the crotch to the cuff to the ventral portion (2a) of the enclosure (2) in the longitudinal direction, the portion below the opening (5) constitutes an adhering portion (3B) of the absorbing body (3) and the enclosure (2), the portion above the opening (5) constitutes a non-adhering portion (3A) of the absorbing body (3) and the enclosure (2), and a means (6) for fixing the absorbing body (3) and the enclosure (2) removably at the non-adhering portion (3A) is provided. Consequently, closed state of the opening can be maintained.
US08092441B2	Disposable wearing article A disposable wearing article has longitudinally extending side edges of a front waist region. The side edges are defined by a pair of hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric layers having mutually opposed surfaces tightly bonded to each other. Fastening zones are formed by an adhesive applied on longitudinally extending side edges of the rear waist region. Landing zones are formed from plastic filmstrip tightly bonded to the side edges of the front waist region.
US08092439B2	Absorbent article with waist relief feature An absorbent article includes a liquid pervious bodyside liner; a liquid impervious outer cover; and an absorbent core positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover. The absorbent article defining a crotch portion connected between a front portion and a back portion; the front portion includes a front waist region, a front waist edge, and a front waist relief area. The front waist relief area is defined in part by a first material cut edge and a second material cut edge wherein the second material cut edge extends beyond the first material cut edge to define a fringe.
US08092438B2	Disposable absorbent article products with improved stages of development identification A disposable absorbent article is provided. The article comprises one or more disposable absorbent articles having a configuration corresponding to a wearer's stage of development, the disposable absorbent articles being enclosed in a package; a brand indicator disposed on the package; a line-up indicator disposed on the package, the line-up indicator including visual indicia and narrative indicia; and a stage specific indicator disposed on the package. The line-up indicator and stage specific indicator associate the absorbent article configuration with a corresponding stage of development, the association enabling a consumer to identify the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a wearer. An array of disposable absorbent article configurations is also provided.
US08092437B2	Controlled evacuation ostomy device with external seal A flexible membrane is situated within a rigid or semi-rigid cap. The edge of the cap wall is adhesively fixed to the tissue surrounding the stoma. The interior of the cap is pressurized to press the membrane to seal the stoma against the discharge of solid and semi-solid waste. Gas escapes through a vent with a filter element. The cap can be pressurized by an external pump or an integral pump member situated on top of the cap. A relief valve prevents over pressurization. A collection pouch can be provided as part of a device. The device can be removably mounted on a standard two-piece faceplate.
US08092436B2	Bodily fluid drainage assembly A bodily fluid drainage assembly having one or more covers and a fluid bag. The fluid bag has a first and a second volume indicator. The first volume indicator is employed by comparing a top level of a fluid with graduations that make up the first volume indicator. The second volume indicator and one of the covers can be used to appreciate an approximate volume of the fluid without directly observing the fluid. Any covers present on the assembly can be removed.
US08092430B2	Single port device with multi-lumen cap A surgical access apparatus includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway for reception and passage of a surgical object and an access housing mountable to the access member. The access housing includes a diaphragm mounted thereto. The diaphragm is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis relative to the access housing. The diaphragm defines at least one internal pocket and has a seal assembly disposed within the internal pocket. The seal assembly has an interface seal member adapted for establishing a fluid tight seal about the surgical object. The seal assembly is adapted for selective movement within the pocket about multiple axes in response to manipulation of the surgical object.
US08092428B2	Methods and systems for adjusting an insulin delivery profile of an insulin pump Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting the delivery times of an insulin delivery profile of an insulin pump, wherein the insulin pump is operable to automatically deliver insulin to a person having diabetes based on an operating time of the internal clock and a delivery time of an insulin delivery profile. The method may comprise receiving a local time zone time from an external local clock, determining whether the operating time of the internal clock differs from the local time zone time by at least a first predetermined amount of time, requesting the person provide a time adjustment value when the operating time of the internal clock differs from the local time zone time by at least the first predetermined amount of time, receiving the time adjustment value from the person, and adjusting the delivery times of the insulin delivery profile based on the time adjustment value when received.
US08092427B2	Aspiration system for ophthalmic medical devices An ophthalmic aspiration system that can be used with a hand piece and a vacuum source, is disclosed and claimed. The aspiration system includes a first tube that is connected to the hand piece and a second tube that is connected to a vacuum source. A filter assembly is connected to both tubes to filter out particles aspirated into the system. The second tube has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first tube. The smaller second tube limits the amount of flow through the system to minimize vacuum surges caused by occlusions.
US08092425B2	Syringe cylinder A syringe cylinder comprising an interior space, having a stopper that can be displaced in the interior space and delimits an active ingredient space, is proposed. The syringe cylinder is characterized by an indicator device biuniquely indicating a longitudinal movement of the stopper occurring in one direction.
US08092424B2	Safety syringe A safety syringe adapted consists of an outer casing that supports a conventional hypodermic needle and an inner casing which supports a blunt cannula that is disposed inside the inner lumen of the hypodermic needle. The inner casing is keyed to the outer casing by one or more pins that engage helical tracks formed along the inner surface of the outer casing. Rotation of the inner casing relative to the outer casing advances the inner casing so that the blunt cannula is moved from a retracted position within the needle to an extended position in which the blunt end of the cannula extends beyond the tip of the needle.
US08092422B2	Dual-chamber carpule with attachment The invention relates to a dual-chamber carpule comprising a cylinder (1) comprising a bypass (3), a central plug (6) and an end plug (10), and an attachment; the invention further relates to a method for producing and filling said dual-chamber carpule.
US08092421B2	Dual-chamber carpule The invention relates to a dual-chamber carpule having (1) a first partial cylinder comprising a sealing cap, a bypass, and an intermediate stopper, (2), an optional sealing element, and (3) a second partial cylinder comprising an end stopper and, optionally, a stop, an axial groove, and an additional intermediate stopper; the invention further relates to a method for producing and filling said dual-chamber carpule.
US08092420B2	Automatic reconstitution injector device The present invention is directed to an automatic reconstitution drug delivery device. The inventive device effects simple and automatic reconstitution of a dry drug. To effect reconstitution, a user displaces a release button which causes first and second chambers of a drug cartridge to communicate, resulting in automatic mixing of a diluent and dry drug to effect reconstitution of the dry drug. The user then simply sets the dose volume using a dose-setting mechanism, and administers the injection in a manner typical of self-injection drug delivery devices. Whole or partial automatic priming can be also achieved by the device.
US08092417B2	Device for regulating flow rate The present invention relates to a device for injecting a liquid medicine such as a Ringer's solution, and more particularly, to a device for regulating the amount of liquid medicine to be injected. According to the present invention, there is provided with a device for regulating the flow rate of a liquid medicine on a flow path of the liquid medicine, comprising an inflow passage for allowing the liquid medicine to be introduced therethrough; a discharge passage for allowing the liquid medicine to be discharged therethrough; a space for storing the liquid medicine introduced through the inflow passage therein; a capillary unit placed between the space and the discharge passage and having at least two capillaries and a plurality of outlets formed on the side of the discharge passage to correspond to the respective capillaries; and a discharge amount regulating valve that is placed between the capillary unit and the discharge passage and is movable to change the number of capillaries communicating with the discharge passage.
US08092414B2	Diaphragm pressure pod for medical fluids A tubular medical fluid flow set comprises a pressure sensing chamber connected in flow-through relation to fluid flow tubing of the set. The pressure sensing chamber defines a movable, flexible, impermeable diaphragm dividing the chamber into two separate compartments. The fluid flow tubing communicates with one of the compartments and is isolated from the other of the compartments. A port is carried on the chamber, the port having a seal therein, and communicating with the other of the compartments. Thus, the other of the compartments is hermetically sealed until the port is opened for connection with a pressure measuring device, to keep the flexible diaphragm in a desired, initial position prior to opening of the seal.
US08092412B2	Apparatus, system, and method for transcutaneously transferring energy An apparatus for transcutaneously transferring an amount of energy to an implantable orthopaedic device includes a primary coil. The primary coil has a resonant frequency matched to a resonant frequency of a secondary coil, which may form part of the implantable orthopaedic device. The primary coil may have an aperture configured to receive a portion of a patient's body or may include a substantially “C”-shaped core. A power circuit may be coupled with the primary coil to provide power to the coil. The apparatus may also include a wireless receiver, a measuring device, and/or a display.
US08092411B2	Hand held orthosis having a flexible enclosure and method of utilization A hand orthosis supporting a patient's thumb and fingers spaced apart and separated from contact with the palm of the hand, including an elongated body having a palm surface, a thumb portion, and a finger support portion. The elongated body includes a plurality of unequal cross-sectional areas spaced along the axial length between a distal end and a base end. A plurality of finger concavities are angled in helical orientation along the orthosis, including spaced apart concavities for each finger and the patient's thumb. Each finger and thumb concavity is angled non-perpendicular relative to the orthosis axial length to retain the fingers and thumb spaced apart, curved in a relaxed orientation, and apart from the palm of the hand during extended periods of time without impeding hand or wrist motion. A method of extended use for the hand orthosis is also disclosed.
US08092408B2	Massage device A massage device comprising an elongated flexible handle having a resilient ball movably secured to one end of the handle.
US08092402B2	Power assist control method, power assist control apparatus, and reduction apparatus Power assist control capable of responding to feeling and sensibility when a man applies force to an object is performed. The power assist control outputs an assist force F or a speed F on the basis of an assist target force X detected by a force sensor 114 for detecting force applied to the object. The relationship between the assist target force X and the assist force F or the speed F to be outputted is F∝f(X) on the basis of a function f(X) having the assist target force X as a variable. The function f(X) is assumed to be a non-linear function which is an increasing function and whose derivative f′(X) is a decreasing function. The function f(X) is a (1/n)-th order function or a logarithmic function. Moreover, a function fup(X) when the assist target force X is increased is different from a function fdown(X) when the assist target force X is decreased.
US08092394B2	Method and apparatus for sampling and analysis of fluids A medical device having a housing (2) with a bore (3) and a lancet (1) slidably fitting in the bore. The lancet operates as a positive displacement piston. In a retracted position, in which the lancet is rearwardly displaced along the bore to define a fluid-containing space in the bore forwardly on the lancet tip, the fluid-containing space has a cross-section dimension to allow fluid to be retained therein by surface tension. The device has a seal (6) operable substantially to prevent flow of fluid from the fluid-containing space past the seal means on movement of the lancet. Displacement of the lancet between the puncture and retracted positions provides suction for drawing fluid into and along the fluid-containing space from the forward end of the bore, and/or pressure for expelling fluid from the fluid-containing space via the forward end of the bore. Also disclosed are methods for operating the device.
US08092392B2	Pulse detection method and apparatus using patient impedance The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating fluctuations in an electrical signal that represents a measurement of the patient's transthoracic impedance. Impedance signal data obtained from the patient is analyzed for a feature indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse. Whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient is determined based on the feature in the impedance signal data. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data may also be obtained in time coordination with the impedance signal data. Various applications for the pulse detection of the invention include detection of PEA and prompting PEA-specific therapy, prompting defibrillation therapy and/or CPR, and prompting rescue breathing depending on detection of respiration.
US08092391B2	Ultrasonic imaging catheter An ultrasonic imaging catheter apparatus and a method of using the same to scan the inner wall of a body lumen. The ultrasonic imaging catheter apparatus comprises: (a) a flexible elongate element adapted for insertion into a body lumen, the elongate element having distal and proximal ends; (b) an ultrasonic transducer generating and detecting ultrasonic energy disposed proximate the distal end of the elongate element; (c) a reflective member disposed proximate the ultrasonic transducer and optionally rotatable with respect to an axis of the body lumen, wherein the reflective member is adapted to reflect (i) ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer to a wall of the body lumen and (ii) ultrasonic energy reflected by the wall back to the transducer; and (d) an actuator, for example, an electroactive polymer actuator, adapted to change the angle of incidence of the ultrasonic energy relative to the reflective member.
US08092389B2	Enhanced intraluminal flow measurement system using reference and combined signals An enhanced intraluminal flow measurement system and method is conducive for a low-power ultrasonic system that can use continuous-wave (CW) Doppler sensing and wireless RF telemetry. Applications include measurement of blood flow in situ in living organisms. Implementations include an extraluminal component located outside of a body, such as a human or animal body, containing a lumen. The extraluminal component can be wirelessly coupled via an RF magnetic field or other RF field to an implantable intraluminal component. The intraluminal component (i.e. implant) is implanted inside of the lumen of the body such as a heart or elsewhere in a vasculature (such as in a dialysis shunt). The intraluminal component can telemeter, via RF electromagnetic signals, flow data directly out of the body housing the intraluminal component to be received by the extraluminal component.
US08092382B2	System and method for prioritizing medical conditions A system for ordering and prioritizing multiple health disorders for automated remote patient care is presented. A database maintains information for an individual patient by organizing monitoring sets in a database, and measures relating to patient information previously recorded and derived on a substantially continuous basis into a monitoring set in the database. A server retrieving and processing the monitoring includes a comparison module comparing stored measures from each of the monitoring sets to other stored measures from another of the monitoring sets with both stored measures relating to the same type of patient information, and an analysis module ordering each patient status change in temporal sequence and categorizing health disorder candidates by quantifiable physiological measures, and identifying the health disorder candidate having the pathophysiology substantially corresponding to the patient status changes which occurred substantially least recently as the index disorder.
US08092380B2	System and method for improving hospital patient care by providing a continual measurement of health A system for improving hospital patient care by generating a Health Score. The system includes an interface module for receiving incoming medical data from a patient, a transformation module for transforming each of the medical datum into a transformed Health Score value, and a combination module for combining the transformed Health Score values corresponding to each of the medical datum into a single Health Score. A presentation and comparison module displays the Health Score as a Health Score plot over a predetermined time frame, such that a user may identify health trends in a patient by evaluating said Health Score plot.
US08092379B2	Method and system for determining when to reposition a physiological sensor A sensor may be placed on a patient to obtain physiological measurements. The application of the sensor on the patient may start a timer set to run for a given time interval. If the sensor is repositioned before the interval is expired, the timer is reset. If the time expires without the sensor being repositioned, a caregiver is prompted to reposition the sensor.
US08092378B2	Remote tissue retraction device A medical device for managing tissue in an organ, such as the stomach, for retracting or positioning tissue and related organs to allow certain regions of the stomach to be acquired for a gastroplasty procedure. The medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue treatment device attached to the distal end of the elongated body. The tissue treatment device includes a first jaw opposite a second jaw, and each jaw is adapted to acquire tissue. A retractor is disposed along the tissue treatment device and adapted to be moveable from a delivery position to a retraction position to move or manage the tissue of the stomach. The medical device also includes a collapsible barrier disposed between the first and second jaws of the tissue treatment device to direct tissue into the first and second jaws separately.
US08092376B2	Light source device of endoscope system A light source device of an endoscope system comprises a light source and a light-source controller. The light source emits in a flash-emitting mode that the light source flashes in a flash interval longer than a field period of an imaging sensor for the endoscope system and for a flash period shorter than the field period. The light-source controller controls the light source so that the light source emits in the flash-emitting mode within an imaging period that is a period excluding a reading period within the field period. The flash interval is defined as a period from when the flash of the light source commences to when the next flash of the light source commences. The flash period is defined as a period from when the flash of the light source commences to when the flash of the light source is completed.
US08092370B2	Direct visualization robotic intra-operative radiation therapy applicator device This invention proposes a robotic applicator device to be deployed internally to a patient having a capsule (also referred to as a cassette) and aperture with a means of alternately occluding and exposing a radioactive source through the aperture. The capsule and aperture will be integrated with a surgical robot to create a robotic IORT (intra-operative radiation therapy) applicator device as more fully described below. The capsule, radiation source, and IORT applicator arm would be integrated to enable a physician, physicist or technician to interactively internally view and select tissue for exposure to ionizing radiation in sufficient quantities to deliver therapeutic radiation doses to tissue. Via the robotic manipulation device, the physician and physicist would remotely apply radiation to not only the tissue to be exposed, but also control the length of time of the exposure. Control means would be added to identify and calculate margin and depth of tissue to be treated and the proper radiation source or radioactive isotope (which can be any particle emitter, including neutron, x-ray, alpha, beta or gamma emitter) to obtain the desired therapeutic effects. The invention enables stereotactical surgery and close confines radiation therapy adjacent to radiosensitive tissue.
US08092367B2	Method for external stabilization of the base of the heart The present disclosure is directed to an external cardiac basal annuloplasty system (ECBAS or BACE-System: basal annuloplasty of the cardia externally) and methods for treatment of regurgitation of mitral and tricuspid valves. The BACE-System provides the ability to correct leakage of regurgitation of the valves with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, particularly when the condition is related to dilation of the base of the heart. This ECBAS invention can be applied to the base of the heart epicardially, either to prevent further dilation or to actively reduce the size of the base of the heart.
US08092366B2	Sling anchor system The present disclosure is generally directed to surgical articles useful for implanting support members in patients. The articles disclosed herein include a support member, such as a sling for urinary incontinence, tissue anchors, filamentary elements for associating the support member with the anchors, and introducer needles for placing the anchors in a patient. The support members can also be configured for use in pelvic floor repair, such as for treating cystoceles, rectoceles, and enteroceles.
US08092365B2	Resonant multilayered impedance pump A multilayered impedance pump is formed by an inner tube and an outer tube which have different mechanical characteristics. The outer tube is relatively stiff, and can be used for a structural material. The inner tube is excitable, and a gel is placed between the inner and outer tube. The actuator actuates the gel to cause pressure waves along the inner tube.
US08092364B2	Methods, devices and systems for counterpulsation of blood flow to and from the circulatory system Counterpulsation methods and systems for assisting the heart of a patient involve, for example, coordinating the operation of a pulsatile pump to suction blood from an artery through a first conduit while the heart is in systole and expel the blood into the first conduit and the artery while the heart is in diastole.
US08092361B2	Split spin centrifugation of test elements High-throughput centrifugation of batches of samples is achieved by dividing a single centrifugation run of a batch of samples into two or more staggered, discrete spins with fewer samples and in which the availability of centrifuge slots for loading or unloading of samples and the subsequent delivery of experimental results can be enhanced. The methodology is particularly useful in situations where multiple samples need to be processed rapidly, for example, as part of a STAT blood typing program in urgent care facilities prior to blood transfusion.
US08092352B2	Bicycling exercise apparatus with multiple element load dispersion An apparatus permitting a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise is provided. The design includes a frame and a first (lower front) mounting point including a multiple element distributed load arrangement and a second (upper rear) mounting point configured to maintain the frame a first lower front mounting point including a pin defining an axis substantially representing a line joining the second upper rear mounting point and the first lower front mounting point. The design includes a seat, a wheel, and pedals, and the frame is configured to pivot about the axis in response to leaning by the user. Handlebars may be provided that enable force application and enhance the leaning or pivoting in the bicycle riding simulation experience.
US08092345B2	Systems and methods for a portable electronic journal We have disclosed a modular personal network (MPN) that includes multiple devices that may be worn, carried, or used in close proximity to a user. The devices communicate wirelessly. Functions of the MPN may be modified by adding or removing components. The MPN may communicate with a personal computer. General purpose devices may include a control unit, a display, a user input, and an audio output. The MPN may provide a variety of functions, including time, communication, entertainment, organization, guidance, athletic, medical, travel, outdoors, identity, security, and military.
US08092341B2	Method of controlling continuous variable transmission A method of controlling a transmission (e.g., CVT) comprises dividing the entire range of an input torque to a transmission from an engine into a plurality of partial torque ranges; setting the maximum torque of the respective partial torque ranges as a representative torque of the respective partial torque ranges; and setting a target hydraulic pressure, which is to be provided to the transmission, according to the representative torque and a predetermined target speed ratio. The method allows a target hydraulic pressure for controlling a transmission to be maintained constant even though an input torque from an engine is changed, and allows the transmission to maintain a speed ratio constant, thereby ensure a stable and smooth ride.
US08092339B2	Method and apparatus to prioritize input acceleration and clutch synchronization performance in neutral for a hybrid powertrain system A method for controlling a powertrain includes operating a transmission in a neutral operating range state, monitoring commands affecting an input speed, monitoring a tracked clutch slip speed, determining constraints on an input acceleration based upon the commands, determining a clutch slip acceleration profile based upon the constraints on the input acceleration, determining an input acceleration profile based upon the clutch slip acceleration profile, and controlling the powertrain based upon the clutch slip acceleration profile and the input acceleration profile.
US08092335B2	Differential for vehicle A differential (1) for a vehicle includes a differential case (2), side gears (5L, 5R) rotatably accommodated in the differential case (2), pinion gears (3, 4) engaged with the side gears (5L, 5R), and pinion gear shaft (50) inserted through the pinion gears (3, 4) to be supported by the differential case (2), in which the differential case (2) has pinion gear supporting portions (10, 11) for rotatably supporting the pinion gears (3, 4), respectively, the pinion gear shaft (50) has pinion gear supporting surfaces (50A, 50B) for rotatably supporting the pinion gears (3, 4), respectively, and the pinion gear supporting surfaces (50A, 50B) are disposed on a side of an axis line of rotation of the differential case (2) with respect to the pinion gear supporting portions (10, 11).
US08092332B2	Three shaft friction drive unit A friction drive (10) having a plurality of planet assemblies (24A, 24B, 24C) pivotally mounted to a carrier (12), a sun shaft (14) rotatably mounted with the carrier (12) and having a first raceway (16), and an outer ring member (18) having a second raceway (22) concentric to the first raceway (16) and having a ring shaft (20). The plurality of planet assemblies (24A, 24B, 24C) frictionally engaged with the first raceway (16) and the second raceway (22) for transferring power between the sun shaft (14) and the outer ring member (18).
US08092328B2	Dual tensioner assembly A dual tensioner assembly for a two-belt drive system including a mounting bracket, a first and second cup coaxial and integrally formed on opposite sides of the mounting bracket with a common base wall having a hub formed therein, a first and second pivot arm each having an integral cylindrical member and each having a tensioner pulley journaled thereon, a tensioning mechanism in each cup biasing its respective pivot arm, a pivot shaft in each cup that is fitted into the hub, and a sleeve bushing on each pivot shaft pivotably supporting its respective cylindrical members.
US08092326B2	Vehicular power transmission apparatus In a motor generator pulley 122, a mechanical clutch 105 and a switching unit 132 are provided such that the mechanical clutch 105 is interposed between a first power transmission unit 104A and a second power transmission unit 104B and can transmit power even when an engine 102 serves as a drive element and a motor generator 103 serves as a drive element and when the motor generator 103 serves as the drive element and the engine 102 serves as the driven element, and that the switching unit 132 can switch, when at least one of the engine 102 and the motor generator 103 serves as a drive element, the mechanical clutch 105 so as to inhibit the engine 102 and the motor generator 103 from being connected to each other.
US08092325B2	Continuously variable belt transmission for a vehicle A continuously variable belt transmission for a vehicle which can generate a cancellation hydraulic pressure for cancellation with a simple construction, as well as urge a movable sheave in the direction for producing a belt pressing force even at the time a vehicle is towed. A member to form a first hydraulic chamber P1 where a pressing force acting on the movable sheave is generated and a circular member forming a part of a second hydraulic chamber P2 where a hydraulic pressure is generated to cancel a centrifugal hydraulic pressure generated in the first hydraulic chamber P1 are provided, wherein the circular member is formed of an elastic member urging the movable sheave in the direction for generating the belt pressing force at a position of the movable sheave in a predetermined gear ratio.
US08092323B2	Sports equipment stick with truss construction A sports stick exhibiting a superior strength to weight ratio. The sports stick design allows for decreased flexure, increased rigidity and increased durability, which lend to greater generation of force, accuracy, reliability and longer life expectancy. The sports stick utilizes aerodynamic features in order to achieve an exposed truss like structure which permits airflow through the internal sections of the shaft which creates greater shaft acceleration and velocity. The sports stick also affords enhanced strength in the direction of a shot and receipt of a pass. The sports stick also provides for channeling away of fluids throughout the length of the stick. The sports stick also provides a system wherein weight can be regulated in multiple regions throughout by utilizing removable or fixed weighted elements or by sizing of cutaways strategically designed to be placed in a certain area of the stick, depending on player handling preference.
US08092320B2	Golf club head The present invention provides a golf club head that can hit a ball with a sufficiently large amount of backspin. The golf club head according to the present invention is an iron type golf club head made of a metal and including a flat face. A plurality of traces are formed by milling on the face. The pitch of the traces is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.
US08092319B1	Iron-type golf club head with reduced face area below the scorelines The present invention provides a novel solution to imparting backspin on high lofted golf clubs. The present invention seeks to define a class of scoreline patterns that result in a higher density of scorelines along the bottom perimeter of an iron face. This in turn, results in increased spin on a golf ball when struck low on the face.
US08092316B2	Golf club having removable sole weight using custom and interchangeable panels A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
US08092314B2	Power transmission structure An open end of a sleeve (spline-fitted to a male yoke) remote from a connecting portion of the male yoke is closed by a first lid member. A through hole is formed axially through the male yoke, and includes a cylindrical first passage portion, and a cylindrical second passage portion which is disposed at that side of the first passage portion close to the first lid member and is smaller in inner diameter than the first passage portion. A second lid member is disposed to close that open end of the through hole remote from the first lid member. Air vent holes are formed through the second lid member to extend in an axial direction, and are disposed so as to partially overlap with a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the first passage portion in the axial direction.
US08092312B2	Multi-piece yoke assembly A driveline yoke assembly may include a yoke and a barrel. The yoke may include first and second arms extending from a base. The base may include a first protrusion extending radially therefrom. The barrel may be axially fixed to the yoke and may define an axially extending body having a second protrusion extending radially therefrom and engaged with the first protrusion to transfer rotation from the barrel to the yoke.
US08092311B2	Bearing arrangement in a universal joint A bearing arrangement for a universal joint including a securing ring which is inserted in an annular groove of a universal-joint yoke with a form fit is arranged such that it can be adjusted. In this case, both the securing ring and an associated contact surface on a base of the universal joint bush have a contact surface which rises helically.
US08092310B2	Propshaft assembly with universal joint having non-conductive sleeve between yoke and bearing cup A propshaft having first and second universal joints. The first universal joint has a first joint member, which is fixedly coupled to a first end of the shaft member, and a second joint member that is pivotally coupled to the first joint member. The second universal joint has a third joint member, which is fixedly coupled to a second end of the shaft member opposite the first end, and a fourth joint member that pivotally coupled to the third joint member. At least one of the second joint member and the fourth joint member is electrically insulated from the shaft member.
US08092309B2	Managed on-line poker tournaments A gaming system is described that is configured to provide on-line poker games with only live participants. The gaming system may link gaming devices located in a casino or across a gaming enterprise. The gaming system may comprise a number of secure transaction terminals that are distributed throughout the gaming venue or gaming enterprise. The secure transaction terminals may be designed for operation only by a human operator. The secure transaction terminals may include one or more of mobile devices that may be moved throughout the gaming venue or the gaming enterprise, thin-client gaming devices with fixed locations and wager-based video gaming machines with fixed locations. The gaming system may include one or more servers configured to provide head-to-head poker games involving live players, monitor the locations of the secure transaction terminals within the gaming venue or gaming enterprise and limit game participation based upon the locations of the secure transaction terminals being utilized in the gaming venue. The game participation based upon location may be performed to prevent collusion among players.
US08092306B2	Interactive sports-themed game An interactive sports-themed game is disclosed. The game involves generating a list of predicted outcomes of the next play of a live sporting event, ranking the list, selecting one or more of the predicted outcomes to form a subset list. The outcome of the next play of the live sporting event is then compared to the subset list, and the player of the interactive sports-themed game is awarded points if the outcome of the play of the live sporting event matches one of the predictions in the subset list.
US08092304B2	Simulation of mechanical reels of gaming machines Techniques for simulating mechanical reels are disclosed. The techniques are especially suitable for simulating mechanical reels typically used for reel-based games in gaming machines (or units). Image of at least one rotating mechanical reel can be projected on at least one projection surface to effectively simulate at least one mechanical reel. The image can be projected on multiple rotating projection surfaces (or reels) to give a closer illusion of a mechanical reel-based game. Projection can be accomplished by using a projection system coupled to one or more processors that processes projection data.
US08092301B2	Information aggregation games Games related to the aggregation of information are described. In some embodiments, a method includes determining a set of information about an outcome of an event. Each piece of information may identify a characteristic of the outcome. The method may further include providing a first piece of the information to a first player. The method may further include receiving a wager related to the event from the first player. The method may further include determining if the wager is consistent with the first piece of information. The method may further include requiring a payment for the wager based on the determination of whether the wager is consistent with the first piece of information.
US08092298B2	Multiple progressive jackpots for a gaming device A gaming machine is described wherein a player first plays a primary game, such as the spinning and stopping of mechanical or video reels displaying symbols. A plurality of progressive jackpots is displayed to the player, where the progressive jackpots are incremented at different random rates. Upon a jackpot-winning outcome of the primary game, the number of different progressive jackpots paid to the player depends on the number of credits bet by the player. The jackpots are incremented upon jackpot-incrementing symbols being displayed by the reels. In one embodiment, the jackpot above each column of symbols gets incremented upon a special symbol, such as a credit value, being displayed in that column.
US08092293B2	Method and apparatus for tracking play at a roulette table A wagering monitoring system configured to detect player wagers at a roulette table. A table having antennas associated with the various wagering areas is provided for the players. A reader connects to each antenna to thereby communicate via the antenna with tokens equipped with an identification element. By monitoring wagers, game play is monitored and processing may occur to track each player wager and the amount wagered by each player. To facilitate play at a roulette table, the identification element associated with each token includes a token color identification code which identifies the color of the token. The token color identification code is associated with a specific player which in turn provides means to associated each wager and a total amount wagered with that player.
US08092292B1	Method and apparatus for a wagering game having a game outcome determined from a player selected indicia set A game having a first and a second plurality of indicia randomly selected from an indicia set. The first and second plurality of indicia are displayed to a player. The player may elect to receive either: (i) an array formed from the first plurality of indicia, or (ii) an array formed from a third plurality of indicia randomly selected from the first and second plurality of indicia. A winning game outcome occurs when a winning combination of indicia occurs in predetermined array positions.
US08092290B2	Card gaming machine with large number of pay lines An electronic card game adapted to be implemented on a non-reel type gaming machine. In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic game can be implemented as a poker game, enabling multiple games to be played simultaneously. The cards for each card game are displayed, for example, in a row or column. When multiple games are played simultaneously, the cards are displayed in a N×M matrix, where N is the number of games played and M is the number of cards per game. For five card poker, the cards are displayed in a N by 5 matrix, where N is the number of games being played simultaneously. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the pay lines when multiple simultaneous games are played are not confined to the row or column defining each game. For example, the pay lines may include rows, columns, diagonals, the letters v, c, m and w and other configurations to provide an increased number of pay lines. By providing an increased number of pay lines, larger wagers and thus larger potential pay outs are possible to make the game more attractive to potential players.
US08092287B2	System and method for providing a real-time interactive surface Disclosed are systems and methods for providing a real-time interactive surface. In one embodiment, such a system comprises an activity surface for use as a venue for an interactive experience, and an interactive experience control unit including an events management application. The events management application is configured to monitor and coordinate events occurring during the interactive experience. The system also comprises a surface rendering application interactively linked to the events management application, the surface rendering application configured to render a visual image for display at the activity surface in real-time, the visual image corresponding to one or more visual assets associated with a subset of the events occurring during the interactive experience. The system further comprises a surface display module interactively linked to the surface rendering application, the surface display module configured to display the rendered real-time visual image at the activity surface to provide the real-time interactive surface.
US08092284B2	Coin handling equipment A hopper coin feeder (1) comprises upper and lower hopper discs (18, 25). A flexible hopper wall (17) of diabolo shape cooperates with the upper disc (18) to control the feeding of coins by a coin pushing member (35) to the outer margin of the disc (18) where they are gripped between an annular band (33) and the disc (18) to be conveyed past a coin discriminator (61). Any coins or debris that drop from the edge of upper disc (18) are caught on the lower disc (25) and pass to a reject chute (132) and coin payout cup (12). An active coin delivery chute and diverter (80), FIG. 10, comprises a reciprocable plate (81) having a finger (82) which controls whether a coin fed from the upper disc (18) passes down the chute or is rejected onto the lower disc (25). Coins that pass down the chute enter a bowl (89) of a double-disc coin conveying assembly (5) that conveys a coin from the bowl (89) to a LIFO coin stacks (3) of a coin storage unit (1). Oversize coins that enter the chute can be directed through the bowl (89), and through aligned apertures (8) in the coin conveying discs, to pass into a coin outlet (10) also leading to the payout cup (12).
US08092283B2	Method of processing fish and a fish processing plant A system for processing fish of different anatomic constitution where the fish (22) having at least an end waste part (23, 24), a body part (26) and a transition (30) between the end waste part and the body part. The system comprising a frame including a fish loading area (18) for receiving the fish and a fish unloading area (52), an optical measurement unit (36) monitoring at least part of the fish loading area for producing a digital representation of the fish, a grabbing unit (40) mounted on the frame downstream in relation to the optical measurement unit for collecting the fish from the fish loading area and placing the fish on the fish unloading area, a processing unit for receiving the digital representation of the fish, determining the transition between the end waste part and the body part of the fish and a separation arrangement for separating the end waste part from the body part at the transition.
US08092282B2	Device for driving a grinding machine The invention relates to a device (1) at a mobile grinding machine (2) for stone materials and that comprises a rotatably driven disc-shaped housing (3), which is arranged to support a plurality of grinding disc holders (6) rotatably driven by a belt (5) or chain driven by a motor (4), which holders are distributed along the circumference of said housing (3) and supported by shafts (11) connected to said housing (3) at a mutual distance from each other. According to the invention, internally (7) in a casing (8), which surrounds a said housing (3), a gear rim (10), situated concentrically with a centre driving shaft (9), is arranged non-turnably connected to the casing (8). The grinding disc holder shafts (11) support an intermediate coupling cogwheel (18) each that co-operates non-turnably with the appurtenant shaft and with said gear rim. The gear rim (10) has a through opening (19) for the shaft (9) driven by the motor (4), and between the gear rim (10) and the housing (3), formed of a grinding supporting drum, a seal (31) is arranged that extends along their outer periphery (10A, 3A). Upon driving actuation of the motor (4), it is accomplished that the grinding disc holders (6) and the housing (3) are driven to rotate in different directions (100 and 200, respectively) in relation to each other.
US08092281B2	Polishing head and polishing apparatus The present invention is a polishing head provided with an annular rigid ring, a rubber film bonded to the rigid ring with a uniform tension, a mid plate joined to the rigid ring and forming a space portion together with the rubber film and the rigid ring, and an annular template provided concentrically with the rigid ring in a peripheral portion on a lower face part of the rubber film and having an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the rigid ring, in which a pressure of the space portion can be changed by a pressure adjustment mechanism, a back face of a work is held on the lower face part of the rubber film, and a surface of the work is brought into sliding contact with the polishing pad attached onto a turn table for performing polishing, and an inner diameter of the template is smaller than an inner diameter of the rigid ring, and a ratio between an inner diameter difference between the rigid ring and the template and a difference between the inner diameter and an outer diameter of the template is 26% or more and 45% or less. Thereby, a polishing head and the like that can obtain constant flatness stably can be provided.
US08092280B2	Glass substrate for magnetic disk and method for producing the same The present invention relates to a method for producing a glass substrate for a magnetic disk, the method including a step of polishing a main surface of a circular glass plate while supplying a polishing slurry containing a polishing material, in which polishing is performed, after a polishing surface is subjected to dressing treatment, by using a polishing pad having: a first resin foam layer which forms the polishing surface, includes a resin foam having pores with a pore diameter of more than 20 μm and has a thickness of 400 μm or less; and a second resin foam layer which is provided between a platen for fixing the polishing pad and the first resin foam layer, includes a resin foam having pores with a pore diameter of 20 μm or less and has a thickness of 50 to 250 μm, and in which a total thickness of the first resin foam layer and the second resin foam layer is 550 μm or less, and a international rubber hardness degree of the polishing pad measured by the M method according to JIS K6253 is 40 IRHD or more.
US08092276B2	Method of fabricating a part made up of a plurality of thin-walled tubes and having a surface of revolution The invention relates to a method of fabricating a part including at least one face in the form of a surface of revolution from a structure made up of a plurality of thin-walled hollow bodies. In order to ensure that cutting takes place without damaging the walls and/or the bonds between the walls of the hollow bodies, the part is machined in the structure by means of a water jet. More precisely, during machining, the structure is attacked with a jet of water under pressure that is directed tangentially relative to the outer envelope of said at least one face to be made in the form of a surface of revolution.
US08092272B2	Moveable electronic toy A moveable electronic toy includes a base, a base cover, two wheels and two wheel covers. The base cover is fixedly mounted on the base. The two wheels are rotatably connected to the base and exposed from the base cover. The two wheel covers is detachably coupled to the base cover and is configured for covering the wheels.
US08092271B2	Interactive toy with positional sensor An interactive toy for playing a game with a user of the toy includes electrical components for producing audible messages to instruct user actions. The toy also includes a hat having a brim movable between up and down positions. The position of the brim determines the play sequence of the toy and the audible messages played thereby by way of an activation mechanism. The toy is switched between “hide me” and “locate me” modes based on the position of the brim. An abbreviated trial mode is provided by way of a removable pull tab.
US08092267B2	Submarine escape suit assemblies A submarine escape suit assembly comprises a submarine escape suit (10) and a liferaft pack (11). The pack (11) is formed by an outer casing (20) that can be pulled open to access a sealed inner casing (21) containing a liferaft. A cord (27) on the inner pack (11) is pulled to commence inflation of the liferaft (10).
US08092266B2	Marine vessel propulsion unit A marine vessel propulsion unit includes an engine, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a propeller, an intermediate shaft, a forward-reverse switching mechanism, and a shock reduction mechanism. The intermediate shaft is arranged on a central rotation axis of the propeller shaft. The intermediate shaft is arranged to transmit rotation between the drive shaft and the propeller shaft. The forward-reverse switching mechanism is arranged to switch a rotational direction of the propeller shaft to a forward drive direction or a reverse drive direction. The shock reduction mechanism includes a plurality of spring members and a pair of stopper portions. The shock reduction mechanism is arranged on the central rotation axis of the propeller shaft. The plurality of spring members are arranged to absorb a force in the rotational direction by elastically deforming in the rotational direction when the force in the rotational direction is applied to the intermediate shaft. The pair of stopper portions are arranged to prevent elastic deformations of the plurality of spring members by coming into contact with each other when the elastic deformation amounts of the plurality of spring members reach a predetermined value.
US08092264B2	Marine vessel A marine vessel includes a hull, a propulsion device arranged to propel the hull by a driving force of an engine that has a throttle valve arranged to be electrically controlled so as to open and close, an operation lever arranged to be operated by a marine vessel operator to adjust a throttle opening degree of the throttle valve and arranged to hold an operation position, a fine adjustment switch arranged to be operated by the marine vessel operator to increase or decrease the throttle opening degree to finely adjust the throttle opening degree that has been adjusted by the operation lever, and a control unit arranged to adjust the throttle opening degree based on an operation amount of the operation lever and an operation state of the fine adjustment switch.
US08092261B2	Connector shaped as a function of its power rating A keyed power source connector and keyed device connector that are backwards compatible, ensuring that the power rated device connectors can only mate with power source connectors power rated at or above the device connector power rating. One connector is formed as a plug, and the other connector is formed as a socket. The connectors have are shaped having a profile that is a function of the respective connector power rating. A keyed portion of the power source connector plug will physically interfere with and not be receivable within a device connector socket when the device connector power rating exceeds the power source connector power rating. This connector system ensures target portable electronic devices coupled to the device connector can not draw power exceeding the rating of the power source connector.
US08092256B2	Card connector assembly and electronic apparatus A card connector assembly includes a substrate, a card connector, and a stud member. The card connector is mounted on the substrate, and includes a pin member which has a neck section and an engagement section coupled to the tip side of the neck. The stud member is provided on the substrate, and has an elastic insert section through which the neck section of the pin member is inserted. The neck section of the pin member is configured to have a floating structure with the stud member.
US08092255B2	Bulb set structure A bulb set structure comprises a plug having two guiding pieces to connect with a power source and to assemble with a LED bulb set and a fitter, an orifice to output alternating current, and a power converting unit having one end to electrically connect with the guiding pieces, and having another end to connect with wires of the LED bulb set and the fitter by using the joining segment to convert the alternating current into direct current, and a circuit board is used to rectify the alternating current to output direct current to emit LED bulb set and to transmit the alternating current to the fitter.
US08092253B2	Communication terminal According to an embodiment, a communication terminal is discussed, by which a coaxial cable capable of carrying a pair of signals is provided to the communication terminal and by which the case performs a grounding function for the coaxial cable to enhance the grounding function.
US08092249B2	Patch panel cable information detection systems and methods A communications system includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panel has a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof that are each connected to a respective communication line, and one or more optical couplers/connector ports on a rear surface thereof for linking two or more patch panels together. A cable for linking patch panels includes opposite ends and a respective connector at each end that is configured to be removably secured within a respective coupler/connector port on the rear surface. Each connector has an RFID tag attached thereto. An RF antenna is secured to each patch panel adjacent each respective coupler, and each antenna is configured to activate and read information from a cable RFID tag when a cable connector is secured within a coupler adjacent thereto.
US08092248B2	Cable clamp The invention concerns a Cable clamp for a cable connector, the cable clamp being arranged for receiving and capturing a portion of at least one cable extending along an extension direction from the connector. The cable clamp includes a first section and a plurality of second sections which are movably attached or attachable to the first section; the first section includes at least one through-hole extending in the direction of extension, which through-hole is configured for receiving a first portion of at least one cable penetrating through the hole and at least a portion of the second sections is arranged for capturing between them a second portion of the at least one cable penetrating through the hole and extending therefrom.
US08092244B1	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes an insulating housing with a plurality of terminals disposed therein, a buckling part, and a locking element. The insulating housing has a receiving chamber penetrating through a rear thereof. The insulating housing defines two buckling grooves with rears thereof being narrower than fronts thereof, and two fixing grooves connecting with insides of the buckling grooves. The buckling part is inserted in the buckling groove, and has a base arm, a contact arm and a fixing arm having a greater width than that of the base arm to be buckled in the front of the buckling groove. The locking element is inserted in the fixing groove, and has a base board resisting against the fixing arm, a fastening portion and a hook grappling an inside of the fixing groove. The fastening portion is located between the inside of the fixing groove and the fixing arm.
US08092241B2	Electronic type removal preventing connector An electronic type removal preventing connector includes a joint and an electronic switch. The joint includes a port, and at least one through hole formed on an external surface of the joint and interconnected to the port. At least one set of electronic switches is installed onto the through hole, and includes a tongue passed through the through hole and having an oblique surface. If a metal plug of a portable electronic device is inserted into the port of the connector, the tongue of the electronic switch will be entered into a bolt hole of the metal plug to prevent the portable electronic device from being stolen. If the electronic switch is electrically conducted for an operation, the tongue will be separated from the through hole and the bolt hole, such that a user can remove the metal plug of the portable electronic device from the joint of the connector.
US08092240B2	Watertight electric connection device including two conjugated connection members The invention relates to an electric connection device including two conjugated connection devices (1, 2), one of which (2) including an outer casing (12), which are both provided with electric contacts (3; 4a, 4b) co-operating together in a connection position. The device of the invention is characterised in that the connection member (1) conjugated with the connection member (2) having the outer casing (12) is provided with a flexible tubular outer seal (13) attached at one end to said member (1) and provided with at least one front abutment annular surface (14) that co-operates by contact with a conjugated surface (15) on said casing (12) of the other member (2) and that comprises a rigid or semi-rigid ring (11) provided with means for translation guiding during the coupling of the connection members (1, 2) so that water tightness is provided between said connection members from at least their intermediate rest position to their connection position due to the co-operation between the front abutment annular surface (14) of the seal (13) and the conjugated surface (15) of the casing (12), said seal being further submitted to a creasing in the connection position.
US08092234B2	System and method for sensing information that is being communicated through a connector A system and method is provided for sensing information (e.g., voltage, current, data, etc.) that is being transmitted through a connector. Preferred embodiments of the present invention operate in accordance with a connector and at least one sensor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector comprises a plug, a receptacle, and a sensor assembly for housing at least one circuit board, at least one sensor, and at least one sensor housing, wherein the sensor is configured to sense (or sample) information that is being communicated over a conductor. The sensor may be a torroidal coil that includes a core (e.g., ferrite, etc.) and at least one wire (e.g., copper, etc.) wound around the core. Alternatively, the sensor may be a MEMS sensor, a Hall Effect sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor and/or a direct (or physical) connection between the at least one wire and either the at least one circuit board or an external circuit. In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one circuit board may include circuitry for storing, processing and transmitting the sensed information.
US08092231B2	Socket for electric component A socket for an electric component provided with a plurality of contact pins in a socket body. The contact pin each have a lower contact part that is electrically conductive with a contact point on a substrate, an upper contact part that contacts the terminal of the electric component when pressure is applied, and an upper spring part that is located between the lower contact part and the upper contact part, that is elastically deformed when pressure is applied, and that, by its elasticity, presses the upper contact part against the terminal. The contact pins are each formed in such a shape that the location of the contact point with respect to the terminal does not change when pressure is applied and the upper contact part is rotated about the contact point (contact projection) of the upper contact part and the terminal.
US08092226B2	Game for educating users regarding medical conditions A game is provided for teaching users about conditions affecting the human body. The game may include a game zone representing a body inflicted with a condition, a number of opponents representing attributes of the condition, and at least one character representing the user. The user may be asked a number of questions, and be required to answer the questions to obtain one or more weapons for overcoming the opponents. The story line of the game may represent the progression of the condition, and may require elimination of at least some of the opponents in order to overcome the condition and win the game.
US08092223B1	Educational, personalizable, multi-sensory learning aid Learning aid device/method for children/adults/second-language-learners learning to read and write comprising a single or double-sided card depicting one or more words in upper and/or lower case displayed on ruled upper/lower case guidelines, and a corresponding real object image. The card includes ample space for a left or right-handed learner to copy/draw the word(s) depicted with erasable markers next to and/or below the word(s). The card is laminated (including a sealing margin) or coated, and is heavy-duty. The text may be textured, distinguishing it from the card's slick surface. When touching the text, learners gain finger/hand muscle training, assisting them in manipulating the writing instrument (marker). A key aspect of the inventive learning device is the provision of personalizable/interactive activity features, namely a slot at the edge of the image area where a picture personal to the user/learner may be inserted into a clear pocket viewable from the front of the card.
US08092216B2	Handset and optical tip for photosynthesis A handset includes a high power LED and a vibrator. An optical tip includes a stepwise tapered portion for insertion into a root canal. The optical tip is used in combination with the vibrator for distributing a photosynthesizer in a root canal. The optical tip is used in combination with the LED for activating the photosynthesizer.
US08092215B2	Smile designer A method for designing a restored smile includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith.
US08092205B2	Material manufactured from recycled plastics Systems and methods of generating a recycled output are disclosed. This recycled output may include a fabric produced by fusing reclaimed plastic bags. The reclaimed plastic bags are fused together using a material manufacturing system. This system is typically configured to heat the plastic bags to a temperature wherein the plastic bags fuse together but do completely melt. Some embodiments include the addition of different types of plastic or non-plastic materials to the recycled output. Also disclosed are systems and methods of controlling textures and patterns within the recycled output.
US08092203B2	Windshield repair Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for repairing of abnormalities such as cracks and/or breaks in substrates such as glass and/or plastics.
US08092200B2	Gas compressor with a pressure bypass valve being formed in a compressed gas passage or an oil separation space In a gas compressor, a cyclone block is configured to include a substantially cylindrical space into which a compressed gas is introduced to separate refrigeration oil from the gas. A pressure bypass is formed in the substantially cylindrical space defined by an outer cylindrical unit and an inner cylindrical unit to communicate with a discharge chamber having lower pressure than that of the substantially cylindrical space. The pressure bypass includes a pressure valve to open and close the pressure bypass in accordance with the internal pressure of the substantially cylindrical space having the pressure bypass. During a high speed operation of a compressor unit, the coolant gas including unseparated refrigeration oil is discharged from the pressure bypass.
US08092192B2	Wind-power water supply pump A wind-power water supply pump includes a housing, a rotary disk, a vane wheel, a direction control vane, a linkage, and a plurality of expandable tubes, wherein the rotary disk is rotatably mounted to a top of the housing and the vane wheel and the direction control vane are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the rotary disk. The vane wheel is set in driving coupling with the linkage. The vane wheel, when rotated by winds, drives repeated expansion/compression of the expandable tube. The change of the volume of the expandable tube is used to deliver water so that the consumption of human labor and additional power supply that are used to deliver water in areas where power is not readily acquired but wind power is available can be cut down.
US08092189B2	Axial flow pump Radial cross sections of front sides in rotational direction of impellers attached to a pump shaft obliquely to a circumferential direction from an upstream side toward a downstream side have concave shapes protruding toward the upstream side, and radial cross sections of rear sides in rotational direction of the impellers have concave shapes protruding toward the downstream side.
US08092188B2	Variable geometry fan and method for manufacturing the blades thereof A fan, particularly for cooling internal combustion engines for earth moving machines, whose blades have an elastically deformable composite structure including at least one shape memory alloy foil adapted to be heated by means of electric current to vary the geometry of the blade.
US08092186B2	Random pitch impeller for fuel pump A random pitch impeller for a fuel pump has number of blades. An incremental angle of the blades is set by the expression: Δθ ⁢ ⁢ i = ( 360 N ) + ( - 1 ) i × Am × sin ⁡ ( p 1 × 360 N × i ) × cos ⁡ ( P 2 × 360 N × i ) , where ΔθI is the incremental angle between the blades, N is the total number of blades (N=2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, . . . ), Am is the distribution magnitude of the inter-blade interval (equally divided angle) (0
US08092176B2	Turbine airfoil cooling system with curved diffusion film cooling hole A cooling system for a turbine airfoil of a turbine engine having at least one diffusion film cooling hole positioned in an outer wall defining the turbine airfoil is disclosed. The diffusion film cooling hole includes a first sidewall having a first radius of curvature about an axis generally orthogonal to a centerline of cooling fluid flow through the diffusion film cooling hole and a second sidewall having a second radius of curvature about an axis generally orthogonal to the centerline of cooling fluid flow through the at least one diffusion film cooling hole. The radii of curvature of the first and second sidewalls are different such that the diffusion film cooling hole includes an ever increasing cross-sectional area moving from an inlet to an outlet, thereby diffusing and reducing the velocity of cooling fluids flowing there through.
US08092175B2	Turbine blade The invention relates to a turbine blade comprising a profiled vane around which working gas flows. The working gas cross-flows a front edge of the vane and flows away on a rear edge of the vane. The vane has a first and a second channel system for guiding two media separated from the turbine blade. Combustion taking place inside is reduced in a safe manner to maintain the service life of the turbine blade and to prevent damage in the gas turbine, such that a first outlet connected to the first channel system is arranged in the region of the rear edge for blowing out the first media into the working gas and a second outlet connected to the second channel system is arranged in the region of the rear edge for blowing out the second medium.
US08092173B2	Wind turbine control method A method of controlling a wind turbine, where a control signal for a controllable parameter of the wind turbine is determined repeatingly at successive time steps, and a control history including respective control values derived from or included in past control signals is stored. These control values stored in the control history are then used to determine an alert parameter for the controllable parameter, the alert parameter being a function of the variations of the control signals over time. The wind turbine is then controlled according to the most recent control signal only if the alert parameter is below an alert threshold, and otherwise according to a modified control strategy. The control method may be performed on pitch reference signals for controlling the individual and/or collective pitch of the blades. The invention further relates to a control system configured to perform the above control method, and a wind turbine comprising such system.
US08092169B2	Integrated inlet fan case A fan section of a gas turbine engine includes nacelle inlet and a fan containment case that are integrally formed together as a single-piece component.
US08092165B2	HP segment vanes A stator vane segment, for constructing a circumferential array of like segments in a gas turbine engine, each segment in the array being separated by an axially extending joint from an adjacent segment and being releasably mounted to an outer engine casing. Each stator vane segment has: a number of vane airfoils spanning radially between an inner platform and an outer platform, and the outer platform includes: a casing mounting fastener on an outer surface and mating lateral joint edges extending between forward and aft edges.
US08092163B2	Turbine stator mount A reaction mount system that provides support for the stator vane for a gas turbine engine is described comprising a stator hanger located on an outer band at a first location and a stator stopper located at a second location that is located circumferentially apart from the first location. A stator assembly for a gas turbine engine is described, the stator assembly comprising a stator vane having an airfoil, an outer band located on a radially outer end of the airfoil, a shroud hanger located axially adjacent to the outer band, the shroud hanger comprising a post wherein at least a portion of the post extends in an axial direction over a portion of the outer band, and a reaction mount system located on the outer band wherein the reaction mount system engages with the post to provide support for the stator vane.
US08092158B2	Method of positioning seals in turbomachinery utilizing electromagnetic bearings A method of positioning a shaft and associated seal in turbomachinery utilizing electromagnetic bearings. The method includes applying electrical power to the electromagnetic bearings' windings, the shaft center being in a first position and the shaft being in contact with the associated seal. Power adjustment to the electromagnetic bearings moves the shaft. Shaft movements can manipulate the seal, the movements being of decreasing amplitude to a position in which the seal is out of contact with the shaft when the shaft is rotated at its centered position during normal operation. The shaft is in its centered position during normal operation when the shaft axis is substantially coaxial with an axis of the electromagnetic bearings. Movements of decreasing amplitude may include oscillations of decreasing amplitude about one or more axes, or may include a spiral rotation with a decreasing radius to move the shaft center from initial to final positions.
US08092157B2	Variable turbine vane actuation mechanism having a bumper ring A variable vane actuation assembly for gas turbine engines having rotatable stator vanes comprises an engine casing, a unison ring, a bumper ring, a radial spline connection and a plurality of bumper shims. The engine casing is configured to encase the rotatable stator vanes. The unison ring is disposed concentrically with the engine casing. The bumper ring is disposed concentrically between the engine casing and the unison ring. The radial spline connection extends from the engine casing and joins with the bumper ring to permit the bumper ring to float radially with respect to the engine casing, but prevent the bumper ring from rotating circumferentially with respect to the engine-casing. The plurality of bumper shims are positioned between the unison ring and the bumper ring to limit deformation of the unison ring.
US08092148B2	Gas turbine having a peripheral ring segment including a recirculation channel A gas turbine having at least one compressor, at least one combustion chamber, and at least one turbine, the or each compressor and/or the or each turbine having a rotor that includes rotor blades surrounded by a stationary housing, and a run-in coating being assigned to the housing is disclosed. The gas turbine includes at least one channel which is configured to apply a pressure prevailing on the high-pressure side of the blades of a rotor to a low-pressure side of the same in the area of a gap between the radially outer ends of the blades and the housing and thereby prevent a flow through the gap.
US08092147B2	Turbine for power generation in a drill string The invention is directed to a turbine (3) for generating power in a drill string (2), including a turbine rotor (10) drivable by a fluid and a bypass device having a first bypass channel bypassing the turbine rotor (10). For varying the volumetric flow through the bypass channel, provision is made for a valve (28) and a control device driven by the fluid and having a drive element (24) by means of which the valve (28) is movable anywhere between a first and a second position. The drive element (24) produces a flow resistance in the fluid flow path downstream from the turbine rotor (10) and downstream from the valve (28) and in the flow direction takes support upon a spring (26).
US08092145B2	Particle separator and separating method for gas turbine engine A system and method for particle separation in a gas turbine engine centrifugal impeller bleed air system using a tangential velocity component of the compressor bleed air to centrifuge the particles radially outwardly and convey the particles circumferentially, away from a clean air outlet and towards a particle outlet where the particles are extracted from the bleed air.
US08092143B2	Pneumatic card transport system A pneumatic card transport system is disclosed. The system is configured to use pressurized air to transport a card inserted to a conveying duct inside a card passageway assembly from a first end to a second end. Air nozzles are configured to release the pressurized airstreams at an angle relative to the conveying duct so that the card is essentially floating when traveling along the conveying duct. Hence, the card makes zero or minimum contact with the inner surface of the conveying duct. This will not only reduce the wear and tear of the card, but also reduces the traveling time inside the conveying duct.
US08092139B2	Inline-type wafer conveyance device There are comprised a load chamber (51) for carrying in a wafer from outside, an unload chamber (53) for carrying out a wafer to outside, and a plurality of conveyance chambers (54a, 54b, 54c) and a plurality of process modules (52a, 52b) connected in series between the load chamber and the unload chamber. The conveyance chambers and the process modules are connected alternately and the plurality of conveyance chambers includes a first end conveyance chamber (54a) connected to the load chamber, a second end conveyance chamber (54c) connected to the unload chamber, and another one or a plurality of intermediate conveyance chambers (54b).
US08092133B2	Device and method for mounting objects on a vehicle wall The invention relates to a retaining device for retaining objects on a vehicle wall, comprising: a supporting element (4) for placing on a front side (2) of the wall (1) with devices (5) for retaining one or a plurality of objects (6) and a fastening element (8, 9) for locking the supporting element (4) on a rear side (3) of the wall (1), as well as a method for mounting objects with this retaining device. In order to reduce the installation cost, and in order not to be dependent on the supporting wall thickness, the fastening element (8) is pin-shaped and has a head (9) at one end so that it can be inserted through an opening (7) in the wall (1) and can be prevented against sliding out in one direction, and the supporting element (4) comprises a connecting device (13) with which the supporting element (4) can be solidly connected to the fastening element (8) projecting from the front side (2) of the wall.
US08092123B2	Metal cutting system for effective coolant delivery A metal cutting system with a tool holder, a shim, an insert with a top depression, a top piece and a clamp. A rake face cooling channel for fluid delivery is formed between the top piece and the depression in the insert. A primary discharge slot at the end of the rake face cooling channel delivers fluid from below the cutting edge of the insert. A second cooling channel for delivery of fluid to the flank face is formed between the insert and the shim or is formed between the shim and the tool holder with a portion of the cooling channel passing through the shim.
US08092121B2	Free standing support A load support includes an outer tube and a plunger at least partially slidably disposed within the outer tube. Gravity-set wedging members are disposed between an outer surface of the plunger and an inner surface of the outer tube for setting the plunger and outer tube in place with respect to each other, wherein the wedging members are substantially self-setting under gravity. The wedging members gouge the outer surface of the plunger and the inner surface of the outer tube upon inward axial movement of the plunger within the outer tube.
US08092120B2	Method for assembling a rack portion of a self-raising oil rig Method for assembling a rack portion (1) of a self-raising oil rig, which rack portion (1) is constituted by at least one rectangular plate (3) which comprises teeth (51) at the longitudinal lateral faces (5) thereof, and at least one reinforcement (8) which is in the form of a half-shell and which is welded to a main face (6) of the at least one rectangular plate, along the longitudinal edges (11) of the at least one reinforcement, according to which an internal chamfer and an external chamfer which are separated by a projection of thickness T are produced at each of the longitudinal edges (11) of the at least one reinforcement (8), the at least one reinforcement (8) is provided at a main face (6) of the rectangular plate (3), at least one welding pass is carried out at the internal portion of each of the longitudinal edges (11) of the at least one reinforcement in order to produce an internal weld bead having a connection radius R greater than or equal to 4 mm, and the chamfers are filled at the external portion of each of the longitudinal edges of the at least one reinforcement by an external weld bead which is produced in at least one pass with addition of metal.
US08092118B2	Carbon sequestration method A method to create a net increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) by acidifying land applied waters with pH adjusted sulfur dioxide to open up soil pores at greater depths, while providing sulfur and other nutrients to plants and soil bacteria to stimulate and increase their overall grow and their assimilation of carbon dioxide to sequester a greater net volume increase of soil organic carbon (SOC).
US08092115B1	Entrapped nut An apparatus having a first panel and a second panel that may form part of a network enclosure. The first panel is connected to the second panel. A nut has a first portion and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion. The second portion of the nut is trapped between the first panel and the second panel. There may also be a joining plate of a field replaceable unit fixable to the network enclosure by at least one bolt engaging the nut.
US08092113B2	Cantilever plate connection arrangement A cantilever plate connection element (1) for connecting a floor/ceiling plate.
US08092106B2	Keyboard with hook for hanging keyboard on another object A keyboard includes a main body including a plurality of input keys and a hanger mounted on the main body including a hook for hanging the keyboard.
US08092105B2	Image generating apparatus An image generating apparatus capable of properly feeding papers in the body thereof and reliably suppressing wrinkling easily caused on cross-directional ends of an ink sheet is obtained. This image generating apparatus includes a print head, including a print portion pressing an ink sheet, capable of printing an image on a paper, a paper guide member guiding a transport direction for the paper when feeding the paper and an ink sheet guide member, having a central portion convexed toward a take-up direction for the ink sheet with respect to the print head in plan view, for guiding transportation of the ink sheet in printing, while a region of the paper guide member corresponding to a cross-directional end of the ink sheet integrally includes an ink sheet contact portion so shaped as to apply tension to the cross-directional end of the ink sheet.
US08092102B2	Camera module with premolded lens housing and method of manufacture A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a circuit substrate, a lens unit and a housing that is mounted to the circuit substrate before the image capture device is mounted to the circuit substrate. In one particular embodiment, the housing is formed onto the circuit substrate via molding. The housing includes a bore to receive the lens unit, with the diameter of the bore being larger than the diagonal of the image capture device such that image capture device can be mounted to the circuit substrate through the bore. In another particular embodiment, the circuit substrate includes an aperture so as to facilitate the flip-chip bonding of the image capture device. The order in which the image capture device and the housing are coupled to the circuit substrate helps prevent damage to the image capture device during the mounting of the housing to the circuit substrate.
US08092101B2	Imaging apparatus with rotatable lens barrel An imaging apparatus with a rotatable lens barrel includes the following elements. An optical block includes a lens. An imaging block includes an imaging device. The lens barrel receives the respective blocks and includes a rotating truncated ball larger than a hemisphere of a virtual sphere formed by extending the curved surface of the truncated ball. A mount rotatably holds the lens barrel. The mount includes a support and a retainer. The support has a circular hole with a diameter smaller than that of the truncated ball and holds the ball such that the ball is fitted in the hole. The retainer has a circular opening with a diameter smaller than that of the truncated ball and holds the ball in the opening so as to prevent the lens barrel from coming out. At least part of the optical block is located within the virtual sphere.
US08092093B2	Dynamic impeller oil seal A rotating seal for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) an annular seal body; (b) a sealing component carried by the seal body which is adapted to form one-half of a rotating seal interface; and (c) an impeller carried by the seal body which comprises a plurality of radially-inwardly-extending impeller blades.
US08092090B2	Fluid dynamic bearing device A fluid dynamic bearing device having high bearing performance at low cost is provided.A bearing member 6 includes an inner diameter part 8 having a radial bearing surface and an outer diameter part 7 having a mounting surface for a bracket 5. Both the inner diameter part 8 and the outer diameter part 7 are made of a resin. The inner diameter part 8 is preferably formed of an oil-impregnated resin, and more preferably a porous resin, and the outer diameter part 7 is formed of a nonporous resin.
US08092089B2	Auxiliary mounting device for linear rails An auxiliary mounting device for linear rails includes a connecting rail and a ball-filling rail. Both sides of the connecting rail each have a first auxiliary groove. The ball-filling rail is formed on one end of the connecting rail and has two swinging arms and a flap. The two swinging arms are extending from one end of the connecting rail. The two swinging arms each have a second auxiliary groove and a pivoting portion. The two second auxiliary grooves correspond to the two first auxiliary grooves respectively. The two pivoting portions are formed between the two swinging arms and the connecting rail. The flap is provided between the two swinging arms. The flap has two lateral edges and an inward-folding crease. The two lateral edges connect both sides of the flap to the two swinging arms. The inward-folding crease is formed in the middle of the flap.
US08092088B2	Extended lip wicket slider deli bag A flexible reclosable container with a header strip, fastener elements, and a slider. The header strip preferably extends from the mouth of the bag, and includes a line of weakness for easy tear off of the bag. The slider and profiles are arranged such that the mouth of the bag is substantially open.
US08092077B2	Mechanism for the positioning of wristwatch control elements The invention relates to a mechanism for the positioning of wristwatch control elements, whereas such control element may be implemented as a crown intended for the adjustment of the watch—as well as winding up the energy storage spring, for mechanical watches—or a pushbutton, and it is embedded in a hole in the watch case in an axially movable manner. The position mechanism contains a seat for the control element, as well as an actuating element linked to the control element from the side through at least one drive element designed to move the control element in its normal position countersunk in the seat, or one or more elevated operating positions.
US08092075B2	Agitation/deaeration device An agitation/deaeration apparatus is provided which causes a container containing a viscous to-be-kneaded object to be rotated and revolved simultaneously, to agitate and deaerate the to-be-kneaded object, wherein piping (wiring) connecting the container and an external device is prevented from twisting even when the container rotates. In an agitation/deaeration apparatus (1A) which performs agitation and deaeration of a to-be-kneaded object (K) by causing a container (9) accommodating a to-be-kneaded object (K) to be rotated about a rotation axis (Y2) of the container (9) and revolved about a revolution axis (Y2), provided are: a first rotation drive mechanism (motor 5) configured to drive and rotate a revolution table (7); a second rotation drive mechanism (a round-belt groove 3d, a pulley P3) configured to rotate the container (9) in a reverse direction at the same rotational speed relative to the revolution table (7); one or more of distribution means (a suction tube 8) of which one end is connected with the container (9) and the other end is connected with the external device.
US08092074B2	Rotary pump, hydrodynamic mixer with a rotary pump, and also the use of the rotary pump for the processing of fluids The invention relates to a rotary pump (1) including a rotor (3) arranged in a closed pump housing (2) which is in operative connection with a drive (5) for the pumping of a fluid (4), wherein an inlet opening (6) is provided at the pump housing (2) for the intake of the fluid (4) into the pump housing (2) and an outlet opening (7) is provided at the pump housing (2) for conveying the fluid (4) out of the pump housing into a storage container (8) which is at least partially filled with the fluid (4). In accordance with the invention the outlet opening (7) is arranged and designed at the pump housing in such a way that the fluid (4) can be conveyed out of the pump housing (2) through the outlet opening (7) to the storage container (8) directly and free of ducting. The invention further relates to a hydrodynamic mixer (100) with a rotary pump (1) in accordance with the invention and also to the use of the rotary pump (1) and of the hydrodynamic mixer (100) for the processing of a fluid (4).
US08092072B2	Disposable cup with a rotating spoon The invention relates to a disposable cup with a rotating spoon comprising a container (1), a spoon (3), a lid (2) with a hole for the passage of the spoon and a sleeving (4) which can be coupled to one another. The spoon (3) consists of a rod having a paddle-shaped flare at one end and a series of bends near the other end which define a C-shaped layout, the central branch of which has a rib (12) with an intermediate groove and passes through the hole of the lid (2), the end part projecting with crank functions. A radial slit (7) with a length and width equal to or greater than the section of the paddle starts from the hole of the lid. The lid further has a mouth piece or drinking area (8) next to its periphery. The invention is applicable in café, hotel and restaurant establishments for drinking take-away hot beverages, such as coffee.
US08092071B1	External vibratory grout consolidator for vertically reinforced concrete masonry A vibratory grout consolidator device for eliminating gaps and voids in grout by attaching to reinforcing bars extending within masonry block walls and encapsulated within the grout. The device includes a clamp including a bar sleeve having a first part attached to a first arm and a second part attached to a second arm. The bar sleeve has a pair of open ends that allow a reinforcing bar to extending fully through the bar sleeve. A vibration source is attached to the clamp so that when the bar sleeve is engaged with the reinforcing bar, vibration is transmitted to the reinforcing bar and encapsulating grout.
US08092069B2	Backlight module and frame thereof A backlight module and a frame thereof are provided, which comprises an outer frame, an elastic side frame, a connecting arm and a cantilever. Here, the elastic side frame is disposed on the at least one side of the outer frame. The connecting arm is connected to a surface of the elastic side frame. The cantilever is disposed on the connecting arm, and formed a first space with the elastic side frame.
US08092064B2	Tiled illumination assembly and related methods Illumination assemblies, components, and related methods are described. An illumination assembly is provided that comprises a plurality of illumination tiles each having a light emission surface. The plurality of illumination tiles are arranged in a two-dimensional array. The illumination tiles are constructed and arranged so as to provide a substantially contiguous illumination surface comprising the light emission surfaces of the plurality of the illumination tiles. Each illumination tile is illuminated by at least one solid state light-emitting device. A method of local dimming an illumination assembly of a display (e.g., LCD) backlight unit is also provided.
US08092062B2	Light-emitting element and display unit having the same A first light guide plate of a light-emitting element is formed by a plurality of strip-shaped light guide bodies arranged in parallel with each other, where each strip-shaped light guide body has a light incident surface on which light from a light source is incident, and a light-emitting surface from which light from the light incident surface is emitted, and on which a plurality of prisms are formed. A second light guide plate of the light-emitting element is positioned so as to face the light-emitting surface side of the first light guide plate, has prisms formed on a surface of the first light guide plate side in a shape that meshes with a shape of the prisms of the first light guide plate, and is formed by a fewer number of light guide bodies arranged in parallel than the strip-shaped light guide bodies.
US08092059B2	Vehicular lighting fixture A vehicular lighting fixture can include a shade wherein an end edge of an upper surface of the shade is positioned at or in a vicinity of a focus of a projection lens. A first reflection surface can be provided to condense light from a light source in a vicinity of the end edge and to form a basic light distribution pattern by the projection lens. A second reflection surface which can comprise one planar reflection surface and can reflect light from the first reflection surface to form a first additional light distribution pattern. A third reflection surface can be provided on a higher surface of a step section of the upper surface, and can reflect light from the first reflection surface to form a second additional light distribution pattern. A fourth reflection surface can connect the second and third reflection surface, and can reflect the light from the first reflection surface in a direction not incident on the projection lens.
US08092053B1	Light fixture assembly and method of manufacture A light fixture assembly includes a light-transmissive fixture. The light-transmissive fixture has a surface, and a light-emitting diode (LED) assembly is applied to the surface to illuminate the light-transmissive fixture. An encasement is applied to the surface of the light-transmissive fixture encasing the LED assembly to substantially isolate the LED assembly from environmental influences.
US08092043B2	LED lamp tube with heat distributed uniformly A LED lamp tube which includes a hollow transparent tube, a LED lamp assembly disposed in the transparent tube, two conductive caps provided on both ends of the transparent tube respectively, and a circuit control unit. The circuit control unit includes a plurality of separated sub-portions. The respective sub-portions of the circuit control unit are distributed uniformly on the circuit board of the LED lamp assembly. Via the uniform arrangement of respective sub-portions of the circuit control unit, the heat within the LED lamp tube can be distributed uniformly, thereby lowering the temperature and facilitating the heat dissipation.
US08092041B2	Low profile linear high bay fluorescent luminaire A low profile linear high bay fluorescent luminaire with a downwardly facing and room side accessible ballast channel. The lighting fixture includes a housing assembly having a longitudinal axis with a first reflector located on a first side of the longitudinal axis. A second reflector is located on a second side of the longitudinal axis. The first and second reflectors are spaced apart with at least one ballast therebetween. At least one ballast is coupled to the housing assembly and extends downwardly from the housing assembly. A cover for the ballast is located below the ballast. The lighting fixture also includes a means for releasably coupling the cover to the housing assembly. The lighting fixture can be suspended from a ceiling or joist in a number of ways including mounting brackets, wire hangers, and ceiling assemblies, and can have an occupancy sensor attached thereto.
US08092039B2	Recessed wall-wash staggered mounting system The invention comprises a completely recessed wall-wash lighting fixture capable of being installed within a ceiling. The lighting fixture comprises a housing, which contains a lamp. The invention may comprise a lighting fixture further comprises a reflector disposed within the housing and adjacent to the first end of the housing. The invention may also comprise a flared lamp shield attached to the housing, which is capable of protecting the lighting fixture from damage. The lamp shield extends below the ceiling when the lighting fixture is installed.
US08092037B2	Fluorescent light fixture retrofit kit A retrofit kit is configured for a single or multiple tubular fluorescent lamp fixture. The original fixture being retrofitted may or may not have any reflectors. The kit includes a new improved reflector with double concave wings. The winged reflector preferably has a central arched, preferably trapezoidal portion which forms the lower cover of the fixture box. This central trapezoidal portion includes an access door to permit access to the ballast without the need to remove the winged reflector once it is installed. An arched, preferably trapezoidal socket bar is installed at each end of the fixture, to lower the position of the lamp with respect to the winged reflector surfaces, to enhance the light distribution in a downward direction while permitting enhanced up-lighting. The distal ends of the trapezoidal central portion of the reflector mate with the trapezoidal socket bars at opposite ends of the fixture.
US08092031B2	Systems and methods for mirror mounting with minimized distortion A method for mounting a mirror for use in a telescope includes attaching the mirror to a plurality of adjustable mounts; determining a distortion in the mirror caused by the plurality adjustable mounts, and, if the distortion is determined to be above a predetermined level: adjusting one or more of the adjustable mounts; and determining the distortion in the mirror caused by the adjustable mounts; and in the event the determined distortion is determined to be at or below the predetermined level, rigidizing the adjustable mounts.
US08092020B2	Method for diagnosing a disease state using ocular characteristics A method for diagnosing a disease state in a subject, including examining the subject's eyes in order to determine whether the subject exhibits one or more symptoms of the disease state. Symptoms of the disease state include altered ocular characteristics, such as pupil size, pupil motility, ocular blood vessel coloration, and strobe light cutoff frequency. By evaluating changes to ocular characteristics, a disease state can be diagnosed in a subject. In addition, the severity of the disease state also can be determined.
US08092013B2	Apparatus and method for activation of components of an energized ophthalmic lens This present invention provides apparatus and methods for the activation of an energized ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, the present invention provides for activation and deactivation of one or more components via wireless communication with an activation unit external to the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an energized ophthalmic lens contains components which detect external signals, process the detected signal and activate components that change optical characteristics via the control of electrical energy.
US08092012B2	Single vision spectacle lens An improved single lens comprising: a continuous change in lens curvature going downwards; a front and a back surfaces; an upper part which front and back surfaces are top zones of front and back surfaces, covering at least the half of respectively front and back surfaces, and where the two top zones are aligned to each other such that the effective power of the upper part of the lens is constant; a lower part used for viewing near objects which front and back surfaces are lower zones of front and back surfaces, the front and back lower zones comprising each a surface zone where top to bottom increasing curvature of each surface zone is provided and where the two front and back lower zones are aligned to each other such that the maximum difference of the effective power of the lower part of the lens and the effective power of the upper part of the lens is comprised between 0 and 0.5 Diopter.
US08092011B2	Eyeglass-mounted type image display device An eyeglass-mounted type image display device suggested by the present invention is applicable to an existing pair of eyeglasses and includes an image display unit having an image display panel and attachable and detachable to and from an eyeglass temple and a light guiding unit that exits the image light emitted from the image display panel of the image display unit toward an eyeball of an observer through an entering end, an optical path and an exit end is provided, wherein the light guiding unit is provided separately from the image display unit.
US08092008B2	System and method for protecting eye glass arms during hair dye process, and manufacturing apparatus and method A system for protecting eye glass frames during a hair dye, coloring, or highlighting process is described. The system comprises a support layer, a pair of gloves laminated onto the support layer, and a pair of eyeglass arm protectors laminated onto the support layer. Each eyeglass arm protector is formed as a sleeve having an open end. An apparatus and method are also disclosed for manufacturing sections of a support layer material, each section having a pair of gloves and a pair of eyeglass arm protectors laminated thereto.
US08092006B2	Handheld printer configuration Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated by an operator to print an image on a media. An inkjet printhead and two position sensors front one another in a triangular configuration thereby providing a large printable area compared to the prior art. A frame commonly mounts the printhead and sensors and is biased to keep an acceptable paper to printer gap during use. A forward opening door accepts the printhead before printing.
US08092005B2	Printing system having coupled media cartridge and drive mechanism A printing system is provided having a support structure, a print media drive mechanism mounted to the support structure and a media cartridge removably received by the support structure. The media cartridge has a casing housing a roll of print media and a print media delivery arrangement. The casing has a door which is arranged to be opened to enable the print media delivery arrangement to couple with the print media drive mechanism for feeding the print media from the roll. The print media drive mechanism has a pivotal carrier, a first drive motor arranged to impart pivotal drive to the carrier, a primary drive roller mounted to the carrier to engage the roll of print media when the door in the cartridge is open, a second drive motor arranged to impart rotary drive to the primary drive roller, and a third drive motor which engages a drive roller of the print media delivery arrangement.
US08092002B2	Liquid droplet ejection head and method for manufacturing the same An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid droplet ejection head capable of securing sealing of a common liquid chamber and realizing a high damper effect while suppressing a driving energy of the liquid droplet ejection head. A passage unit includes manifold plates, and a damper plate which is stacked on the manifold plates and has a damper wall facing a common liquid chamber. The damper plate is constituted by a base portion having a damping space at a position corresponding to the manifold holes in plan view, and a resin portion stacked on the base portion. The resin portion is formed to cover at least a portion above and around the damping space to constitute the damper wall, be smaller in a contour shape than the common liquid chamber in plan view, and be stored in the manifold holes.
US08091999B2	Melt plate for use in a solid ink jet printer A melt plate for use in a solid ink printer is formed with a drip plate to provide controlled flow of melted ink from the melt plate to a drip point. The melt plate includes a first portion having a perimeter, a second portion having a perimeter, the second planar portion angling from the first portion along a transition boundary at a first angle, a first rim extending around the perimeter of the first portion except along the transition boundary, the first rim angling from the first portion at a second angle, and a second rim extending around the perimeter of the second portion except along the transition boundary and a drip point, the second rim angling from the second portion at a third angle, the third angle being different than the second angle.
US08091998B2	Liquid container and manufacturing method therefor A liquid container detachably mountable to a mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus, and which includes a liquid chamber, a light emitter, an electrical contact which receives a signal for light emission by the light emitter, and a display portion which directs emitted light from the light emitter toward an outside of the liquid container. A latch lever is elastically deformable and has a latching portion spaced from a first side of the liquid container, the first side being between the latching portion and the liquid chamber. A liquid supply port is disposed at a second side of the liquid container. The electrical contact is disposed at a position which is between the latching portion and the liquid supply port as seen facing both of the first and second sides, and the display portion is disposed adjacent to an upper portion, in use, of the first side.
US08091997B2	System with security device separate from ink tank in a printer An ink tank security system on a printer includes an ink tank connection station having a cavity with a passage for insertion of at least one ink tank through the passage into the cavity to supply ink for printing operations by the printer and for removal of the ink tank through the passage from the cavity for replenishing with ink. A door is mounted adjacent to the passage for undergoing movement between displaced positions enabling or blocking movement of the ink tank through the passage to or from the cavity. A sensor adjacent to the door is adapted to sense movement of the door between the displaced positions. A security device separate from the ink tank is insertable into and removable from a control slot on the printer under the door to control re-use of the ink tank for replenishing the supply of ink.
US08091994B2	Liquid droplet jetting apparatus including liquid tank and two heads connected in series A printer includes a first head in which first nozzles are formed, a second head in which second nozzles located at a higher position than the first nozzle are formed, and an ink cartridge positioned at a lower position than the first and second nozzles. Moreover, the first head is connected to the ink cartridge via a tube, and the second head is connected to the first head via a tube. Accordingly, the second head is connected to the ink cartridge via the first head. It is possible to shorten the tubes by connecting serially the ink cartridge and the two heads, and to prevent from breaking simultaneously a meniscus in the nozzles of both the heads located at different height positions.
US08091992B2	Deflection device including gas flow restriction device A continuous inkjet printhead includes a jetting module including a nozzle operable to eject a continuous stream of fluid through the nozzle, a stimulation device operable to break the stream of fluid into first and second droplets having first and second volumes, wherein the droplet volumes travel along a first path, and a drop deflection mechanism that includes a gas flow path, a first flow path restriction positioned within the flow path, and a second flow path restriction positioned within the flow path, the second flow path restriction being non-parallel relative to the first flow path restriction, the drop deflection mechanism providing a gas flow which interacts with the first and second droplets to cause at least one of the first and second droplets to begin traveling along a second path.
US08091990B2	Continuous printhead contoured gas flow device A continuous liquid printing system gas flow device includes a gas flow duct structure including a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned spaced apart and opposite each other to form an opening. The first wall is contoured such that a distance between the first wall and the second wall varies when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the opening.
US08091989B2	Inkjet print device with air injector, associated air injector and wide format print head The invention relates to a wide format print head composed of X inkjet print devices intended to print on a moving support and for which the print quality is to be improved over the entire width.The solution according to the invention consists of inputting a single air flow passing through the internal cavity of the print head.
US08091988B2	Cavity plate Among other things, a cavity plate for use in ink jetting includes an outlet end. Elongated lands extend from the outlet end toward an inlet end of the cavity plate. The elongated lands have side walls between top and bottom surfaces of the cavity plate to form elongated cavities. There are structural supports upstream of the ink outlets and between the elongated lands, to support the elongated lands.
US08091987B2	Ink jet print head with improved reliability An ink jet print head is provided having an ink chamber and a nozzle plate closing the ink chamber at an end comprising a nozzle for ejecting a drop of ink through it. The nozzle plate further includes an ink path for flowing an ink through in a direction parallel with the nozzle plate and passing the inner end of the nozzle. This ink flow is in excess of that required for replenishing the ejected drops of ink in the ink chamber and may flow continuously passed the inner end of the nozzle and along the ink path to refresh the ink that is used for ejecting through the nozzle.
US08091982B2	Modular inkjet printhead assembly Provided is a printhead assembly including a printhead module having a plurality of modular printhead tiles with each tile having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium. The printhead assembly also includes a ducting assembly having a laminated stack of layers, each layer of the stack having a number of apertures which, when the layers are stacked, provide ducts whereby ink is able to flow from an ink reservoir to the nozzle assemblies. The assembly further includes a number of electrical connector assemblies for operatively connecting the respective printhead tiles. Each tile is mounted to a modular support defining a raised portion and a recessed portion at an end thereof, the tile having electrical connecting strips which overlie the respective recessed portions. The connector assembly includes a connecting member having a series of parallel spaced conducting strips, the member shaped and configured for fitment into a cavity defined by the raised and recessed portions of two abutting supports to connect the connecting strips of two tiles via said conducting strips.
US08091980B2	External particle mitigation without exceeding drooling limitations A method of performing maintenance on a printhead of an imaging device includes the application of a purge pressure to ink in an on-board reservoir of the printhead to cause ink to be burped through a plurality of apertures in an aperture plate of the printhead. A wiper blade is then dabbed on the aperture plate at least once after the application of the purge pressure. After the dabbing, the wiper blade is drawn across the aperture plate. The wiper blade is then dabbed against the dabbing position at least once after wiping the aperture plate.
US08091976B2	Inkjet printing apparatus and method of predicting There are provided an inkjet printing apparatus and a method of predicting which can perform an accurate ink remaining amount detection. An inkjet printing apparatus is for performing printing onto a print medium by using a print head including an energy generating element generating energy used for ejecting ink from an ejection opening. The apparatus has a print head temperature detecting unit, an atmosphere temperature detecting unit and a predicting unit. The predicting unit drives the energy generating element at the time a difference between the temperature of the print head before driving the energy generating element and the atmosphere temperature detected by the atmosphere temperature detecting unit is less than a predetermined temperature.
US08091973B2	Printing system with power regulation A printing system comprising: a printhead cartridge comprising a printhead; a cradle unit for supporting the printhead cartridge; and an interface at which the cradle unit is removably engageable with the printhead cartridge, the interface comprising connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface and a power regulation circuit for regulating supply of power from the power supply to the printhead cartridge.
US08091972B2	Installing fluid container in fluid ejection device A fluid ejection device ejecting a fluid, the fluid ejection device includes: a fluid ejection unit; a main chassis case; a fluid-containing pack; a container case; and a plurality of holders. The fluid ejection unit ejects a fluid onto an ejection target. The main chassis case houses the fluid ejection unit. The fluid-containing pack contains a fluid for ejection. The container case houses the fluid-containing pack. The plurality of holders is disposed inside the container case. Each of a plurality of holders includes an incline panel that inclines toward the inside base plane, and the fluid-containing pack rests on the incline panel.
US08091965B2	Plastic booster seat apparatus A stackable plastic booster seat apparatus with a body having a set of four corner cylindrical portions. A right foot having cylindrical portions engages two of the corner cylindrical portions and a left foot engages the other two corner cylindrical portions. The body includes a back with a lumbar support, a seat with a safety bump and a downward and rearward slope such that a child tends to sit properly in the apparatus away from the safety bump and against the lumbar support.
US08091962B2	Folding canopy chair The folding canopy chair includes a frame, a seat, a back, and arm rests. An umbrella is secured to the frame and is pivotal between an upright use position extending above the chair and a downward storage position adjacent the frame. The umbrella is pivotal about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis for selective positioning of the umbrella relative to the chair, so as to shade a person sitting in the chair from the sun. The umbrella is non-symmetrical, and is removably mounted on either the left or right side of the chair using a clip.
US08091959B2	Display system for a vehicle seat A display system for a vehicle seat comprises a receiving surface including a recess. A cover plate is adapted to cover and/or fit into the recess. The recess has a support surface and a slot for receiving a tab located on the cover plate. An information carrier can be located between the cover plate and the support surface.
US08091956B2	Apparatus for sealing and damping Sealing and attenuating device (1) with a fastening device 2 to attach the device (1) to a first component and a sealing mechanism 3 to seal off the first component from a second component, and an attenuating device (4) to attenuate the impact of a third component against the first component.
US08091947B1	Disposable car cover A disposal automobile cover for preventing foreign substances, dust and water from contacting an automobile disclosed and claimed. A disposable automobile cover adapted to be expanded between first and second positions, the cover comprising a planar top wall having an ovate perimeter; a planar side wall connected to the ovate perimeter at a first edge; and an elastic strip operatively associated with the side wall at a second edge thereof, the side wall being parallel to the top wall when in the first position, the side wall being transverse to the top wall when in the second position.
US08091946B2	Screwless visor mount assembly A screwless visor for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The visor includes a body, and an arm having a first end and a second end with the second end arranged in the body. The arm also has an elbow arranged near the first end. The visor also includes a mounting assembly secured to the headliner. The mounting assembly includes an inner collar arranged over the first end of the arm and a bracket in contact with the inner collar. The bracket has a hook extending from a surface thereof wherein the hook is in contact with the headliner. The screwless mount assembly will allow for easier installation and removal of the visor from the headliner of the interior of an automotive vehicle.
US08091941B2	Lower structure of vehicle body rear part A lower structure of a vehicle body rear part includes a spare tire housing formed on a rear floor, a rear cross member disposed in front of the spare tire housing to connect side frames, and a hook reinforcing member extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The side frame at the vehicle rear of the rear cross member is divided into a frame front part and a frame rear part in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the hook reinforcing member is divided into a reinforcing member front part and a reinforcing member rear part in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The lower structure is configured so that when a load F is applied from the vehicle rear to a vehicle body rear part, the side frame is deformed so as to be bent in an upward convex shape at a division position of the frame front part and the frame rear part, and also the rear floor and the hook reinforcing member are deformed so as to be bent in a downward convex shape at a division position of the reinforcing member front part and the reinforcing member rear part.
US08091936B1	Gripping device A gripping device for retrieving goods from hard to reach or tight fitting spaces is provided. The gripping device comprises a first arm having a first end and a second end and a second arm having a first end and a second end with the first arm being pivotally attached to the second arm at a point between the first ends and the second ends. A first duckbill pincer-like clamp is secured to the second end of the first arm with a thickness of the first clamp being less than the width of the first clamp. A second duckbill pincer-like clamp is secured to the second end of the second arm with a thickness of the second clamp being less than the width of the second clamp. A spring member biases the first ends of the first arm and the second arm in a general direction away from each other. Upon maneuvering the first ends of the first arm and the second arm in a general direction toward each other, the second ends of the first arm and the second arm also move in a general direction toward each other. Upon the second ends of the first arm and the second arm being maneuvered together, an inside surface of the first clamp rests completely against an inside surface of the second clamp.
US08091932B2	Coupling device and method for manufacturing a grip ring to be used in such a coupling device A coupling device for a tube comprising a coupling piece with an insert end for the tube and a sealing organ which is suitable for realizing a seal around the tube inserted in the coupling piece, whereby the sealing organ comprises a series of elements which together form a ring enclosing the tube, and whereby the elements have been provided with at least one grip ring, extending over at least a part of the circumference of the tube, which at least one grip ring is embodied with inwardly and/or outwardly pressed out first projections and second projections extending away from the surface of the grip ring, whereby the first projections and the second projections are provided with, in the plane of these projections extending first anchor teeth and second anchor teeth.
US08091931B2	Unit with at least two hydraulic connections fastened to it An electrohydraulic unit assembly for a motor vehicle includes a receiving body defining a sealing face and at least two connectors fastened to the receiving body of the unit, oriented substantially parallel one to another and separated by a defined distance from one another. Each connector is configured for connecting a fluid conduit to the unit. Each connector includes a screw fitting for fastening the respective hydraulic connection to the receiving body of the unit such that a sealing face of the screw fitting or a sealing face of the fluid conduit is seated on the sealing face of the receiving body. Each screw fitting is rotatably connected to the body and includes two spanner flat portions having different spanner widths.
US08091925B2	Fluted hopper tee A directional hopper tee has a fluted interior vertical pipe that merges into a horizontal pipe. The vertical pipe has an opening that connects to a hopper to receive bulk material, or product, and a horizontal pipe centered upon the end of the vertical pipe. The horizontal pipe has an inlet that also receives bulk material and pressurized air from ahead of the hopper and an opposite outlet that discharges the bulk material from the hopper tee. The vertical pipe has a flange that abuts the hopper and an opening in the flange that matches the opening of a valve on the hopper itself. At the opening, the vertical pipe begins to turn towards the outlet of the lower pipe with an internal flute. The flute begins immediately at the flange resulting in a vertical pipe with a curved shape towards the outlet and a square shape towards the inlet. The present invention raises the ground clearance of the horizontal pipe by at least an inch resulting in a hopper tee that clears at least 7 inches above the ground. The hopper tee of the invention also unloads at least 15% more product per minute at temperatures closer to product temperature. Alternate embodiments of the present invention provide a reinforced flange, a drop tee, and a low profile drop tee. The present invention aids in the unloading of bulk materials from various haulers.
US08091924B2	Device for coupling a coolant supply to a roller A device for coupling a coolant supply to a roller, in particular for continuous casting installations, wherein the roller is supported for rotation in a stationary pillow block, includes a sealing unit coupled to an axial roller borehole in a pressure-tight manner, and a stationary pillow block cover releasably attached to the pillow block and covering the axial roller borehole. An insert may extend through a center opening of the pillow block cover and be attached to the pillow block cover by a flange. The inside diameter of the center opening of the pillow block cover may be greater than an outside diameter of the bush to enable a removal of the sealing unit from the roller borehole without removal of the pillow block cover.
US08091917B2	Airbag device for protecting a vehicle occupant An airbag device for protecting a vehicle occupant in case of a crash, including at least one region that can be inflated with gas, which in the inflated state forms a gas cushion for a vehicle occupant to be protected in the form of a side airbag, at least a first material layer of the inflatable region extending in front of a lateral vehicle structure of a motor vehicle in the inflated state of the airbag device, and at least a second material layer of the inflatable region of the inflatable region, that opposes the first material layer in the inflated state of the airbag device, wherein at least one fastening flap is provided at the airbag device via which the airbag device can be fastened to a motor vehicle structure.
US08091916B2	Fold flat carrier wagon/cart with stowable walls, wheels and handle, and manufacturing methods This application discloses a fold flat wheeled carrier/wagon/cart, adaptable for a wide array of carrying purposes, including but not limited to cargo, luggage, people, and supplies, featuring optional fold flat retaining walls, handle and wheels. The wagon/cart/carrier wheel assemblies may include simple manually manipulable grips, which the user simply moves to release the wheel assembly and tires, and upon release the wheel assembly and tire is pivoted by spring biasing preferably, and/or is movable to a fold flat profile within the wheeled carrier perimeter and side elevational profile. The application provides for simple internal mechanisms for the wheel assemblies as well as unique faceplates with finger grips. In the stowed, fold flat profile; the wheel assembly may serve to retain the optional retaining walls. Manufacturing construction methods are also disclosed.
US08091913B1	Variable adjustable trailer hitch A variably adjustable trailer hitch assembly, comprising a horizontal tube assembly that is fixedly secured onto a vehicle. A journaling tube assembly is mounted upon and journals the horizontal tube assembly. A ball assembly is mounted onto the journaling tube assembly and receives a trailer's hitch ball coupler. Adjustable means laterally move the journaling tube assembly mounted upon the horizontal tube assembly. A torque equalizer assembly is fixed upon the journaling tube assembly.
US08091906B1	Scooter including brake system A scooter includes a board for supporting the user thereof, at least one wheel assembly mounted on the board for facilitating movement and transportation of the board, and a braking system operable in a first mode that engages with and imparts a braking force to the at least one wheel assembly for stopping the scooter, and in a second mode that is subject to a force and is caused to disengage from the at least one wheel assembly for allowing the scooter to be moved without being subject to any braking force.
US08091904B1	Diver's station and umbilical cart A diver's station and umbilical cart neatly stores the umbilical cord and other various items used in hookah diving and has a frame made from various bars of aluminum stock. A set of wheels is pivotally attached to one end of the frame while a handle is attached to an opposing end. A seat is telescoping attached to the frame proximate the wheels. A first set of legs extends upwardly from the frame proximate the handle and has a first tray there atop, while a second set of legs extends upwardly from the frame between the first legs and the seat and has a second tray there atop. A telescoping post extends upwardly from the frame and passes through the second tray, the post having a T-brace there atop.
US08091903B2	Retractable wheel assembly A retractable wheel assembly is provided for coupling to a mounting on an object. The retractable wheel assembly is moveable between one or more extended positions and a retracted position. The retractable wheel assembly is configured to expose a wheel in the extended position(s) and to stow said wheel in the retracted position. The retractable wheel assembly comprises a first wheel strut rotatably mounted at or proximate a first end thereof, a first link arm handle rotatably coupled at or proximate a second end of the first wheel strut, and a first over-centre locking arm rotatably coupled at or proximate a first end to the first link arm handle and rotatably mounted at a second end thereof. The retractable wheel assembly is configured to rotatably couple to the wheel at or proximate the coupling between the first wheel strut and the first link arm handle.
US08091901B2	Interlocking shoe structure A system for attaching a shoe to a skateboard is described. An interlocking structure attached to the shoe substantially prevents vertical and/or lateral movement of the shoe in relation the skateboard when the interlocking structure is pressed against another interlocking structure. The interlocking structures may register in a plurality of vertical and/or lateral positions. One or both of the interlocking structures may comprise a plurality of protrusions of a pointed or rounded shape.
US08091898B2	Hydrodynamic circumferential seal system for large translations A circumferential seal system for sealing a high pressure region from a low pressure region separated by a runner with an outer circumferential surface and a seal ring disposed about the outer circumferential surface is described. The seal system includes a plurality of groove sets separately disposed along the outer circumferential surface. Each groove set further includes at least two grooves. At least one groove within each groove set exerts a lifting force via a fluid from the high pressure region onto the seal ring as the runner translates with respect to the seal ring along an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the runner. The continuous feed of fluid onto the seal ring ensures a thin film between the seal ring and the runner regardless of their relative arrangement during axial excursions of the runner resulting from conditions within a turbine engine.
US08091895B2	Target positioning system Target positioning system with a rectangular flat table top member having downwardly disposed side walls and three primary legs to support the table top member. Two primary legs are hingedly attached to the left and right rear corners of the table top member. One primary leg is hingedly attached under the center front portion of the table top member. Each leg has a telescoping secondary leg member that is capable of being affixed to the to the primary leg member to adjust the height of the primary leg member. The table top member left and right side walls include slots for receiving a strap. The strap can be adjusted in length to hold a standard archery target cube. The flat table top member includes upwardly facing flange located at the rear edge of the table top to prevent the target block from being thrust backward during target practice.
US08091894B2	Military target system A target system having a base, a stationary member inclined from the base and having a cap, a rotating tube having a cap and positioned over the stationary tube, a bearing between the caps of the stationary member and the rotating tube to permit substantially free rotation of the rotating tube, and a plurality of target sides secured to the rotating tube, with impact of a fired round onto one of the target sides initiating movement of the rotating tube relative to the stationary member.
US08091889B2	Thickness detector of paper A paper-sheet-thickness detecting device includes a reference roller provided on a fixed rotation shaft; a detection roller provided to face and come into contact with the reference roller; a detection block in which the detection roller is provided at one end and the other end is rotatably fixed around a fulcrum shaft so that the detection block is turned and displaced according to a thickness of a paper sheet passing through between the reference and detection rollers; a holding block that holds the fulcrum shaft; a first pressing member fixed to the holding block to maintain contact between the detection and reference rollers by pressing the detection block, the first pressing member being displaced according to rotation and displacement of the detection block when the paper sheet passes through between the reference and detection rollers; and a displacement detector that detects a displacement amount of the first pressing member.
US08091887B2	Sheet feeding device and skew detecting method A plurality of moving-amount detecting units respectively detects a moving amount of the sheet fed by a feeding unit at a plurality of points in a width direction of the sheet. A skew detecting unit detects a skew of the sheet based on the moving amount of the sheet detected by the moving-amount detecting units.
US08091885B2	Mail doubles detection and correction system A mail doubles detection and correction system for a mail processing system with a feeder includes a mail support configured to support at least two mail pieces in a detection space downstream of the feeder, a pair of vacuum belt assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the detection space, and one or more sensors positioned about the detection space to detect a position of one or more mail pieces in the detection space. Each vacuum belt assembly includes a vacuum port facing the detection space and a perforated belt movable across the vacuum port in a mail transport direction. The system detects a mail double when the sensors indicate that more than one mail piece is disposed in the detection space and corrects the situation by moving one of the belts and holding the other belt stationary to advance only one of the mail pieces, and subsequently moving both of the belts to advance the remaining mail piece. The system detects a normal feed when the sensors indicate only one mail piece in the detection space, in which case both of the belts are moved to advance the mail piece. The system can also be configured to automatically adjust a width of the detection space to accommodate mail pieces having a range of widths.
US08091882B2	Sheet finishing apparatus and control method A sheet finishing apparatus includes: a puncher which moves between a penetrate position and a standby position; a detection unit which detects a lateral edge of a sheet; a standby tray which supports the sheet passed through the puncher, by a pair of tray members; a lateral alignment unit which holds and aligns the sheet falling off the standby tray, by a pair of alignment boards; a moving mechanism which moves the position of the standby tray or the alignment boards in a direction orthogonal to the carrying direction of the sheet; and a control unit which measures a quantity of misalignment of the sheet by using a result of detection of the lateral edge from the detection unit and controls the moving mechanism in accordance with the quantity of misalignment.
US08091881B2	Image forming apparatus The image forming apparatus includes: an image processor; an image forming portion for forming images on recording paper based on the image data output from the image processor; a folding mechanism for folding the recording paper with images formed by the image forming portion when the input image information is confidential image information; and a stapling mechanism for binding the recording paper folded by the folding mechanism, at the end part when the input image information is confidential image information. When the input image information is confidential image information, the image processor outputs the pouch-binding image data for a pouch-bound image to be formed on the facing pages of the recording paper that is folded by the folding mechanism, by editing the layout of the confidential image.
US08091875B2	Gripping jig for assembling, assembling device, and producing method of assembled body A gripping jig for assembling whereby a force is applied to a molded body in a direction perpendicular to an assembling direction. When an assembling load is applied to the molded body, the force is adjustable with an adjustment screw such that the molded body is guided to move in the assembling direction. Since the force is applied from a direction different from the assembling direction, the molded body can move in the assembling direction, and since the force is adjustable, application of the assembling load to the molded body and the movement of the molded body can be adjusted. Since a plurality of the molded bodies are fixed and assembled respectively, when there are variations in size of the molded bodies, an excessive assembling load is is avoided with each molded body guided to move, so that a more uniform assembling load is applied to the plurality of molded bodies.
US08091873B2	Coned disc spring A coned disc spring is arranged between a second component and a third component provided inside a tubular first component and movable in an axial direction. The coned disc spring comprises a body having a circular dish shape, teeth closely fitting into spline grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of the first component and projecting to a radial outer side on an outer periphery of the body, and a stress relaxation portion formed by notching a base of the tooth in an approximately circular arc shape in a direction at least one of a circumferential direction and a radial direction of the body.
US08091870B2	Self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut A self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut is provided to have internal level control. The spring strut has an outer tube having one end sealed by a piston rod guide, a working cylinder received inside the outer tube, and a hollow piston rod extending into the working cylinder through the piston rod guide. The piston rod carries a piston, which is operable to travel axially inside the working cylinder in a sealing manner and separates the working cylinder into first and second working spaces. The first working space is under a high-pressure from a high-pressure chamber and acting as a spring and the second working space is located on a piston rod-side. The spring strut also has a pump rod received inside the hollow piston rod. The pump rod and the hollow piston rod form a piston pump, which, in response to sprung movements acted thereonto, conveys a damping media from a low-pressure chamber into the first working space connected to the high-pressure chamber. The high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber are each connected to the atmosphere by a filling connection formed in the piston rod guide and a check valve operable to selectively communicate the high-pressure or the low-pressure chamber to the atmosphere.
US08091869B2	Adjustable spring pad An apparatus for aligning a spring and axle may include an adjusting bar member for connecting to the spring, a spring pad member for connecting to the axle and a biasing member for biasing the adjusting bar member in a first and second direction. The biasing member may include a threaded bolt, and the biasing member may include a bracket. The biasing member may include a reduced diameter member, and the bracket may include a first arm and a second arm. The adjusting bar member may be substantially L-shaped, and the adjusting bar member may include a first guiding member and a second guiding member. The adjusting bar member may include a slot between the first and second guiding members, and the spring pad member may include a concave curved surface to cooperate with the axle housing.
US08091867B2	Apparatus for producing microbubble liquid and device for atomizing air bubbles using the same In a microbubble liquid producing apparatus, an air bubble liquid producing device for mixing liquid with air by an aspirating pressure generated by a pressure pump arranged on a liquid feeding pipeline while aspirating the liquid from a liquid supply source and forcibly feeding the liquid by pressure is disposed on the liquid feeding pipeline on the upstream side of the pressure pump relative to the liquid feeding direction. A first air-bubble atomizer is disposed on the liquid feeding pipeline on the downstream side of the air bubble liquid producing device for atomizing the air bubbles contained in the air-mixed liquid produced by the air bubble liquid producing device. A second air-bubble atomizer is disposed on the liquid feeding pipeline on the downstream side of the first air-bubble atomizer for further atomizing the air bubbles atomized by the first air-bubble atomizer.
US08091861B2	Valve for use in connection with oil production and gas production A valve for use in connection with oil production and gas production comprising a valve housing (1) which is connected to at least one inlet (2) and an outlet (3), which together define a flow channel (16) through the valve, a valve body (9), which is set up to selectively open and close for fluid flow in the flow channel (16). A valve seat (6,7), is fitted with at least one seal against the valve housing (1), the valve seat (6) is fitted with an undercut (31) on the side of the valve seat that faces the valve body (9). The undercut (31) is in direct fluid communication with the flow channel (16).
US08091860B2	Valve with sensor A valve is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The valve comprises a piston (104), a housing (106) surrounding the piston (104), an inlet (108) capable of allowing fluid into the valve, an exhaust (110) capable of allowing fluid out of the valve, a light source (112) capable of emitting light directed at the piston (104), and a light sensor (114) capable of measuring an intensity of the light received from the light source (112), said intensity varying based on the position of the piston (104) within the housing (106). A piston assembly is also provided according to an embodiment of the invention, in which a light source 608 and a light sensor 610 may be used to determine the position of the piston. A system is provided for obtaining and analyzing operational status information is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. An action may be automatically taken depending on the analyzed operational status. A method is provided for automatically performing a diagnostic operation on a valve. A safety protocol may be executed based on the outcome of the diagnostic operation.
US08091858B2	Shut-off system for large conduit cross-sections, having a swing flap The shut-off system according to the invention for large conduit cross-sections has a swing flap which can be swung to and fro between two end positions about a pivot axis by means of a drive device, wherein the drive device has a drive shaft which is connected to the swing flap via an elbow lever, and at least one lever arm rigidly connected to the drive shaft is provided which is in operative connection with at least one operating cylinder for rotation of the drive shaft. The drive device has a motion link which is fastened so as to be rotatable about a pivot bearing, wherein the operating cylinder is connected to the motion link to pivot the same, and a transmission element is provided between the lever arm and the motion link in order to transmit the pivoting motion of the motion link to the drive shaft.
US08091854B2	Delineator extraction system A system and method for extracting broken delineators severed adjacent to a ground surface where the delineator was installed. A distal end of a delineator extractor may be positionable in a delineator conduit. At least a portion of the distal end of the delineator extractor may be configured to engage an interior surface of the delineator conduit when the delineator extractor is activated. Upon the delineator extractor engaging the delineator conduit, a user may activate a slide hammer of the delineator extractor to amplify a force applied by the user to assist in extracting the delineator conduit. A delineator extraction system may include an installer couplable to a distal end of an outer conduit of a delineator extractor. The installer may function to install or extract a delineator system.
US08091853B2	Pole type member support device and method therefor A pole type member support device has a conical shaped receptacle. The conical shaped receptacle has an opening formed in a top section thereof. The receptacle is tapered so that the top section of the receptacle is larger than a bottom section. A channel is formed around an outer perimeter of the top section of the receptacle. A support arm is slideably coupled within the channel and is used for supporting the pole type member in an upright position. A locking device is adapted to be inserted into and withdrawn from the opening formed in the top section of the receptacle for securing the pole type member in an upright position. A base member is provided for holding the receptacle.
US08091851B2	Slide device for vehicle A vehicle slide device is provided, which can adjustably move the second rail along the first rail without play therebetween in a front-rearward direction with a long adjustment stroke. In the vehicle slide device according to the invention, since a plurality of rolling elements annularly arranged in the attaching portion formed at the second rail are always in contact with the operating surface of the attaching portion and the operating surface of the first rail when the second rail moves relative to the first rail in a front-rearward directions, the play of the second rail relative to the first rail in up-down and right-left directions can be eliminated. Further, since the plurality of rolling elements roll and circulate at the attaching portion, the second rail can smoothly move in a front-rearward direction along the first rail.
US08091848B1	Hands free specimen holder apparatus and method A hands free specimen holder apparatus includes a cup holder. An arm is connected with the cup holder at a first end and the arm extends the cup holder from the first end and away from and below a second end. The second end of the arm is conformed to connect with a toilet seat.
US08091841B2	Load compensator for height adjustable table A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.
US08091837B2	Reduction of frictional losses in the region of boundary layers on surfaces, around which a fluid flows An aerodynamic body with a plurality of nozzles for throttling a fluid flow to be removed by suction through the nozzles in a self-regulated fashion is disclosed. The aerodynamic body according to one example, includes a plurality of throttling nozzles with a throttle section that is defined by an inlet and an outlet. In one example, the interior wall of the throttle section may be designed such that an effective flow cross section is reduced in a self-regulated fashion due to the creation of turbulences on the interior wall of the throttle section as the pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of the throttle section increases.
US08091834B2	Multi-grommet retained slider for parachutes A reefing slider for providing improved line management and canopy deployment characteristics of a ram air inflated airfoil type canopy. During initial descent of the parachute the slider, secured by retaining elements, is held against the canopy in the upper reefing position where it mechanically restricts canopy deployment while giving the canopy time to achieve proper orientation following the drop from the launching aircraft. Upon sufficient air flow into the canopy cells, the retaining elements separate, releasing the slider and enabling full opening of the canopy.
US08091828B2	Structural element and method of manufacture In a method for manufacturing a structural element intended for aeronautical construction, at least a first and second metal block are made available, the limit of elasticity under compression of the first metal block being greater than that of the second metal block. The first metal block is machined in such a manner as to obtain a first machined monolithic part which has a first web portion and at least one stringer element whose height is such that a stringer portion extends beyond the first web portion. There is prepared, by shaping the second metal block, at least one second part having at least a second web portion capable of co-operating with the first web portion to form the web. The first monolithic part and the second part are assembled by placing the first and second web portions end-to-end over their entire common length.
US08091827B2	Thrust reverser door A thrust reverser door provides in one aspect a separation of structural and aerodynamic functions through the provision of individual structures. In some embodiments, an aerodynamic element is adjustable in position, while in other embodiments, the relative positions are fixed. An exemplary aerodynamic element extends radially into the reverser flow to redirect the flow away from the door surface.
US08091826B2	Aerostatic buoyancy control system A system allowing for the active management of aerostatic lift in buoyant and semi-buoyant aerial vehicles comprised of a high tensile-strength outer pressure cell of a given volume and an inner compression cell of only slightly smaller dimensions. The inner compression cell is filled with a lifting gas, such as helium or hydrogen, to some fractional volume of its maximum, allowing for expansion of the lifting gas at different operational altitudes. When a reduction in aerostatic lift is desired, external air is compressed through the use of air handling means, and introduced into the outer pressure cell through a directional valve that prevents the pressurized air from leaving the pressure cell. When increased aerostatic lift is once again desired, the valve system may release all or a part of the pressurized air in the pressure cell, allowing the lifting gas to expand thereby displacing a greater volume of air and increasing lift.
US08091822B2	Aerial image projection system and method of utilizing same An aerial image projection system (20) includes a light aircraft (22) having a parachute-wing (24) attached to a carriage (26). The system (20) further includes an on-board computing and projection unit (30) with an image projector (32) coupled to the carriage (26) and suspended below the parachute-wing (24). An image display process (98) utilizing the system (20) entails generating (100) still and/or moving images (34) in a digital format for management by the computing and projection unit (30) and projecting (102) those images (34) from the projector (32) onto the parachute-wing (24). The projection of particular images (34) may be governed by time of day, particular events, current location of aerial image projection system (20) as detected by a navigational system receiver (66) of the unit, and so forth.
US08091820B2	Cable coiling apparatus A cable coiling apparatus includes a main body and a resilient cover. The main body has a base and a top cap with a central post extending therebetween. The cover has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface with an outer lip formed along a perimeter outer edge and an inner lip projecting from an inner edge, the inner lip being received within a channel of the top cap so as to secure the cover to the top cap. The cover is movable between a first position in which the cover has a substantially concave shape so that the outer lip presses against the base, and a second position in which the cover has a substantially convex shape so that the central post is freely exposed.
US08091817B2	Milling device A milling device includes a grinding member, a table, a plurality of actuators and a controller. The table has a grinding surface. The table is positioned adjacent to the grinding member such that the grinding surface faces toward at least a portion of the grinding member. The table and the grinding member at least partially define a grinding chamber sized and configured to receive material. Each actuator is connected to the grinding member such that movement of that actuator causes at least a portion of the grinding member to move from a raised position to a lowered position to grind the material. The controller is connected to the actuators and is configured to cause the actuators to move in a sequence that causes the grinding member to wobble as the grinding member is moved by the actuators to grind material.
US08091816B2	Round cotton module opener A round module opener for use with a round module of cotton including a first cradle movably mounted to a first frame, the first cradle including a first peeler belt that is configured for rotary motion, and a second cradle movably mounted to a second frame, the second cradle including a second peeler belt that it configured for rotary motion. The first cradle and the second cradle are disposed on opposing sides of a feeder bed such that the first cradle and the second cradle can be moved inwardly toward each other and toward a longitudinal centerline of the feeder bed to engage the round module of cotton.
US08091812B2	Shredder head adapted to shred data bearing documents and bottles A method of shredding bottles preferably, but not necessarily, including providing a major blade rotatably located about a common axis with at least some of the plurality of shredder blades. The major blade may have at least one shaft which extends radially outwardly from the common axis for a distance greater than the maximum radius of any of the plurality of shredder blades. Preferably engaging bottles via the major blade prior to the commencement of cutting by the plurality of shredder blades so that the major blade preferably at least one of cutting, deforming, and dragging bottles toward the plurality of shredder blades for shredding thereof.
US08091811B2	Apparatus for collecting, processing, and recycling kitchen scraps An apparatus for collecting, processing, and recycling kitchen scraps is provided. Kitchen scraps are thrown into a throw-in conduit provided on each floor of a building and transferred to a delivery conduit by a flushing device so as to reach a kitchen scraps collection device and be processed thereby. After the kitchen scraps are processed by the kitchen scraps collection device, a liquid removed from the kitchen scraps is further processed by a grease interception device so that oil is separated from the liquid. Thus, the apparatus collects, processes collectively, and performs water/oil separation on kitchen scraps.
US08091809B2	Shredder with jam proof system A shredder is disclosed having a jam proof system. In one embodiment, the jam proof system provides a thickness detector having a contact member which displaces as an article is inserted into a throat of the shredder and a resistance generating mechanism configured to provide a resistance force to the contact member, in response to displacement of the contact member. The greater the thickness of the material the greater the resistance force that will be realized. When the material reaches a predetermined thickness, there will be a significant change in the resistance force. The resistance generating mechanism may include at least two spring mechanisms serially arranged, such as, a first spring mechanism and a second spring mechanism. This feature provides immediate and direct feedback to the user that the article inserted into the shredder may be too thick. In addition, the thickness detector may include a sensor, and in particular, a Hall effect sensor assembly configured to measure the thickness of the article inserted into the throat. The sensor may communicate with a controller that is configured to alert the user, and/or alter the operation of the shredder, in response to the thickness of the material. For example, the controller may visually and/or audibly alert the user, or control the shredder motor response.
US08091808B2	Redundant tire and rubber compound reprocessing The invention provides for methods, systems, and devices for processing rubber materials including rubber from tires, tubes, shoe soles, or any other rubber containing product. Characteristics of the rubber materials, such as chemical composition and/or product manufacturer, model, and manufacture date, can be identified. Identification can be performed by personnel, can be automated, or can be a combination thereof. The characteristics of the rubber material can be used to sort the rubber product. Rubber materials suitable for a particular end product can be selected for further processing, which can include size reduction, material separation, chemical and physical processes, devulcanization, or a combination thereof. Processed rubber materials can be stored or delivered to a user or manufacturing site with product specifications.
US08091803B2	Spraying device apparatus A spraying device includes a housing that has a spraying unit and a trigger assembly. The spraying unit is a removable insert within the housing. The spraying unit includes an air chamber that is coupled to a liquid tank. A front end portion of the air chamber has a nozzle. The air chamber receives a liquid tube that opens in the nozzle. The liquid tube receives a needle and the needle and the liquid tube are coaxial with each other. The trigger assembly controls the flow of liquid through the liquid tube by positioning a tapered front end of the needle. The trigger assembly includes a trigger that has a first position and a second position. In the first position, the opening of the liquid tube is closed by the needle. In a second position, the liquid tube is opened to discharge a liquid from an opening of the liquid tube.
US08091802B2	Spraying device apparatus A spraying device includes a housing that has a spraying unit and a trigger assembly. The spraying unit is a removable insert within the housing. The spraying unit includes an air chamber that is coupled to a liquid tank. A front end portion of the air chamber has a nozzle. The air chamber receives a liquid tube that opens in the nozzle. The liquid tube receives a needle and the needle and the liquid tube are coaxial with each other. The trigger assembly controls the flow of liquid through the liquid tube by positioning a tapered front end of the needle. The trigger assembly includes a trigger that has a first position and a second position. In the first position, the opening of the liquid tube is closed by the needle. In a second position, the liquid tube is opened to discharge a liquid from an opening of the liquid tube.
US08091797B2	Trackway and method for manufacturing a trackway A trackway for guiding rail-bound vehicles is disclosed that includes a plurality of pre-fabricated concrete slabs firmly attached to one another, wherein each of the concrete slabs includes positioning and connecting elements. At least one groove is formed in each of the concrete slabs and at least one elastic sleeve is configured to fit within the groove(s) of several of the concrete slabs. A plurality of rails are configured to fit within the elastic sleeve(s), wherein the length of one of the rails is longer than the length of one of the concrete slabs.
US08091794B2	Thermostat with usage history The present disclosure pertains to thermostats that assist users in monitoring and/or controlling their utility consumption habits and patterns. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a thermostat that includes a housing and a controller located within the housing. The controller may be adapted to implement a control algorithm that permits the controller to operate one or more components of an HVAC system. The thermostat may include a display and a receiver that is configured to receive messages from a utility. In some cases, the controller may provide, on the display, an indication of a measure of utility usage during a first time period (e.g. during a current month) and an indication of a measure of utility usage during a second time period (e.g. during the same month one year ago) that may be after the first time period.
US08091792B2	Coding pattern comprising direction codes A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of target elements defining a target grid. The target grid comprises a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements. A plurality of data elements are contained in each cell. Tags are defined by a plurality of contiguous cells and each tag comprises respective local tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each cell comprises one or more translation symbols encoded by a respective set of the data elements. The translation symbols identify a translation of the cell relative to a tag containing the cell.
US08091791B2	Method and device for coding articles The invention is about a marking method and a corresponding coding center device for the marking of individual items (1), such as security documents, currency, tax excise stamps, labels, pieces of packaging, articles, or transportation means, with pertinent information indicating their nature and/or content, origin and/or destination, etc., and their registration in a remote, centralized data base, enabling the tracking & tracing of said items (1) and of the goods they may be applied to. The method of the invention is based on a three-step printreadcancel (PRC) sequence, embodied in a device comprising a printing unit (P), a reading unit (R) and a canceling unit (C), arranged in-line on an integrated equipment and operating under the control of information processing means (IP).
US08091788B2	Methods and systems for optical code reading using virtual scan lines Methods and systems are disclosed for processing of 2-D images of optical code symbols having information bearing characteristics in predominantly a single dimension (such as a linear barcode). In a preferred system, pixel summing or averaging is used to generate virtual scan lines for imaging of encoded symbols to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the resulting virtual scan lines. For example, pixel summing or averaging of an imaging array may be performed in a direction orthogonal to the virtual scan line direction in order to increase the SNR of the virtual scan line signal over what can be achieved with virtual scan lines created using a single image pixel for each virtual scan line pixel. The increased SNR offered by this technique of pixel summing or averaging of an imaging array may allow capture of images with reduced exposure time, enabling capture of images of objects moving at high speed without the necessity of high intensity light sources.
US08091781B2	Transaction product with card and sticker A transaction product for a retail display includes a transaction sticker and a transaction card. The transaction sticker defines a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The transaction sticker includes a first account identifier linking the transaction sticker to an account or record configured to track a value available for use toward a purchase of goods and services. The first account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The rear surface is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The transaction card defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and including a second account identifier. The second account identifier is machine readable by the point-of-sale terminal. The transaction sticker is releasably coupled to the transaction card and is configured to be removed from the transaction card and applied to an article. Other cards, products, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed.
US08091775B2	Process and assembly for identifying and tracking assets An assembly and process for identifying and tracking assets, such as tubulars, equipment, tools and/or devices. An antenna is electrically connected to a responding device, such as a radio frequency identification device, and this assembly is connected to an asset. The antenna may be positioned about the exterior and/or the interior of the asset and significantly increases the range of signals that may be received and/or broadcast by the responding device. A transceiver may accordingly be positioned a greater distance from the asset without regard to the orientation of the asset and still permit communication between the transceiver and the responding device. In this manner, information that specifically identifies the asset may be compiled in a data base so as to maintain an accurate history of the usage of such assets as tubulars, equipment, tool and/or devices.
US08091768B2	Bulk shipping container A bulk shipping and storage container in the form of a drum is made of corrugated fiberboard and includes a bin with a sidewall, a closed bottom and an open top. The sidewall has a plurality of interconnected sidewall panels, and a rim is on an upper outer surface of the sidewall for engagement by the tines of a forklift to carry the container. The locking structure on the lid and bin enable the lid to be locked in place. The bottom of the container has adhesively attached overlapping panels that provide smooth interior and exterior surfaces. A preferred embodiment has a tray inserted in the bottom and a liner inserted in the tray and extending upwardly inside the sidewall. In another embodiment, a shock-absorbing pad is between the liner and the lid.
US08091767B2	Substrate manufacturing apparatus, substrate manufacturing method, ball-mounted substrate, and electronic component-mounted substrate A substrate manufacturing apparatus manufactures a ball-mounted substrate and has a ball mounting apparatus which includes a ball vacuum chucking apparatus including a vacuum chucking head that carries out a vacuum chucking process to chuck balls at edges of inlets formed in a vacuum chucking surface and which mounts the balls vacuum-chucked by the vacuum chucking head on a substrate, the ball vacuum chucking apparatus further including: a holding vessel that holds the balls; and a vacuum chucking/holding unit that vacuum chucks and holds the balls held in the holding vessel on a front end thereof, and carrying out a supplying process that brings the vacuum chucking/holding unit that holds the balls on the front end thereof and the vacuum chucking surface of the vacuum chucking head relatively close to supply the balls to the vacuum chucking head while air is being drawn through the inlets.
US08091764B2	Joining method and device produced by this method and joining unit A practical bonding technique is provided for solid-phase room-temperature bonding which does not require a profile irregularity of the order of several nanometers, in which a high-vacuum energy wave treatment and continuous high-vacuum bonding are not required.Since an adhering substance layer is thin immediately after a surface activating treatment using an energy wave, a bonding interface is spread by crushing the adhering substance layer to perform bonding, so that a new surface appears on a bonding surface, and objects to be bonded are bonded together. In order to crush the adhering substance layer more easily, a bonding metal of a bonding portion of the object to be bonded needs to have a low hardness. According to the results of various experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was found that the hardness of the bonding portion which is a Vickers hardness of 200 Hv or less is particularly effective for room-temperature bonding.
US08091762B1	Wedge bonding method incorporating remote pattern recognition system A wire is bonded to a target surface using a rotary bond head by positioning a wedge bonding tool of the bond head over the target surface. A camera system is tilted at an oblique angle relative to an arrangement of the bond head to conduct pattern recognition of bonding points on the target surface for determining actual positions of the bonding points and an orientation between the actual positions of first and second bonding points. The bond head is moved to the actual position of the first bonding point and rotated to the determined orientation. Thereafter, the wire is bonded to the target surface at the first bonding point with the bond head.
US08091760B2	Device for fixing conductor tracks on a solar cell The invention concerns to a device for fixing conductor tracks on at least one first main-surface of at least one solar cell.
US08091753B2	Surgical stapling device The present disclosure describes a surgical device with a body portion defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly including an anvil, a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, a dynamic clamping member movable relative to the tool assembly to eject the staples, and an articulation and firing actuator extending at least partially through the body portion and the tool assembly. The tool assembly is pivotally attached to the body portion for movement from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis to a position oriented at an angle thereto. The articulation and firing actuator extends at least partially through the body portion and the tool assembly, is operably associated with the dynamic clamping member and the tool assembly, and is movable in relation thereto to selectively pivot the tool assembly relative to the body portion and move the dynamic clamping member relative to the tool assembly to eject the staples.
US08091747B2	Hanger for garment steamer A hanger for a garment steamer that is adapted for unrumpling clothing such as trousers, jackets, or the like, having a hub, arms, ribs, a hinge for connecting one end of each rib to an end of each arm, and joining means for connecting the other end of each rib to the hub.
US08091742B2	Pump lid A pump lid assembly for use with a container, having a rotatable pump cylinder configuration and a pump piston mechanically associated with the rotatable pump cylinder configuration such that at least a portion of the piston is deployed within the pump cylinder, thereby defining a variable pump volume. The pump piston is configured with a substantially cylindrical piston wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface such that at least a portion of the interior surface is configured for releasable attachment to the container such that when the lid is attached to the container and at least a portion of the piston circumscribes the part of the container. At least a portion of the exterior surface of the piston wall interacts with the rotatable pump cylinder configuration and the association is such that rotation of the rotatable pump cylinder configuration generates linear motion of the rotatable pump cylinder configuration.
US08091727B2	Snap-over clamshell protective port cap A single-use, clamshell protective cap for use primarily in healthcare settings in order to maintain the integrity of a medication solution. The cap has two halves, a cylindrical skirt, a puncture resistant lid portion, an interior flange, and an interlocking snap. When placed around a flanged injection port such as is found on a conventional fluid container and closed, the lid portion covers an access site on an injection port. After the cap is placed, the interior flange engages the port flange to prevent upward axial movement relative to the port, thereby preventing removal of the cap and thus deterring unwanted or erroneous drug administrations or withdrawals.
US08091724B2	Container closure assembly with internal neck thread A container neck and closure assembly, wherein the container neck (10) comprises a first screw thread (14) on an internal surface thereof and the closure (12) comprises a cylindrical plug (32) for insertion into the container neck, said plug having a second screw thread (36, 37) on an outer surface thereof for engagement with the first screw thread to secure and resecure the closure on the neck.
US08091723B2	Removable lid for use with a toner container A lid to selectively plug or unplug a discharge mouth of a toner container mountable to an image forming apparatus for replenishing a toner. In one embodiment, a lid has a body member having a bottom portion with an opening, a lug member having a body portion having a first end portion, and a base member having an opening. The body portion of the lug member is sized to be received into the opening of the bottom portion of the body member and into the opening of the base member to engage the body member with the base member. The body portion of the lug member is received into the opening of the bottom portion of the body member and into the opening of the base member, the first end portion of the body portion of the lug member snaggingly fits through the opening of the base member.
US08091719B2	Container cap An improved container cap has a structural design for preventing pills from spilling out of a container closed with the container cap. The container cap includes a movable cover that is extensible to enable indirect, two-step dispensing of pills, so that the pills come out of the container at a reduced speed and will not fall out accidentally.
US08091717B2	Automatically foldable coupler A central buffer coupling having a coupling head, a coupling shaft and a bearing block attachable to the front face of a car body. The coupling shaft includes a front shaft component supporting the coupling head and a rear shaft component coupled to the bearing block so as to be horizontally pivotable which are pivotable in the horizontal plane relative one another about a rotational axis defined by a connecting pin, and the central buffer coupling further includes a pivoting mechanism to pivot the front shaft component relative the rear shaft component. The pivoting mechanism includes a slotted gate fixedly attached to one of the two shaft components and having a sliding guide, a cam disc rotatably mounted about the rotational axis defined by the connecting pin and having a cam disc guide, and a bolt connecting the one to the other of the two shaft components.
US08091714B2	Method for displaying merchandise in front of backer material A top hardware bar includes a body, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The body is elongate and defines a first end, a second, opposite end, a channel, and a plurality of holes disposed lengthwise along the body. The first bracket is secured to the first end of the body and is releasably secured to a first upright. The second bracket is adjustably secured within the channel at the second end of the body and is releasably secured to a second upright. A backer piece is secured to the body of the top hardware bar along a top portion of the backer piece such that the backer piece hangs from the top hardware bar. A product fixture is then placed in front of the backer piece to support products, with the ends of the product fixture being attached to the first and second uprights, respectively.
US08091713B2	Display for a casket selection room A display for a casket selection room comprises a base, a first display portion mounted to the base, a plurality of casket portions representing a plurality of casket choices from which a customer may select mounted to the first display portion, a second display portion mounted to the first display portion, and a plurality of casket ornaments representing a plurality of ornament choices from which the customer may select mounted to the second display portion.
US08091712B2	Method for batching items A method and a computer program product for batching items are disclosed including the steps of: selecting a first item for a batch, analyzing the characteristics of the selected item, creating a profile of the selected item, and determining qualification criteria for forthcoming items. The qualification criteria for the forthcoming items based on the profile created from the first item selected for the batch with the analysis of the characteristics of an item based on one or more of the following: weighing the item, recording and processing an image of the item, for determining one or more of the following characteristics: the thickness of the item, the color of the item, and/or the shape of the item. The characteristics are used for creating a profile of the item.
US08091711B2	Dynamically adaptive trommel screen system A dynamically real-time adaptive trommel screen system is revealed. The dynamically adaptive trommel screen system includes a fixture, a trommel screen disposed on the fixture for screening a mixture into regenerated filter granules and screened residues, a structured duct for transporting the regenerated filter granules and an enclosure for collecting the screened residues, a tilt control member arranged on the fixture for adjusting the tilt angle of the trommel screen, and a feedback controller that controls the tilt control member according to the mass flow rate of the screened residues when the trommel screen operates so as to adjust the tilt angle of the trommel screen instantly and dynamically. By the feedback controller and the tilt control member, the tilt angle of the trommel screen is adjusted in a real-time and dynamic way so as to increase the screening efficiency. Moreover, the state of fractured filter granules is acquired from the feedback controller so that a certain amount of fresh filter granules can be refilled into the filter system for improving the filtration efficiency.
US08091710B2	Door structure and substrate storage container A door structure that is detachably fitted into an opening portion of a container body for storing substrates includes a casing to be fitted to the opening portion of the container body, a locking mechanism provided in the casing for locking the casing by causing an engaging piece to project out from the peripheral wall of the casing in a retractable manner based on rotation of a rotator so as to interfere with the inner periphery of the opening portion of the container body, a cover for enclosing the locking mechanism, and an operational window formed in the cover so as to oppose the rotator.
US08091708B2	Child resistant blister package housing with removable tab strips A child resistant product package includes a first panel, a second panel, a tab strip insert, and a blister package. The first panel incorporates at least one blister aperture and at least one tab strip access pad. The second panel includes at least one product access aperture and at least one tab strip grasping pad. The tab strip insert has at least one tab strip. The first panel and the second panel are fastened together. Once fastened together, the first panel and the second panel collectively form a housing for the tab strip insert and the blister package.
US08091707B2	Durable shipping container for heavy sensitive electronics A system and method for securing, shipping, storing, loading, unloading, accessing and protecting sensitive heavy electronic assemblies. Integration of container dunnage, recessed hardware and exterior stacking features to protect container and contents during shipping.
US08091705B1	Diamond polishing pad caddy A caddy for storing diamond polishing pads used by grinding machines holds multiple containers in a rack in a case. Each container is independently removable from the rack and case and stores a complete set of stacked pads so that sets of used pads are always sorted and accessible according to both their grit and wear characteristics. The case, rack and containers are configured with respect to the sets of pads and to each other so as to minimize their relative three dimensional motion during transport of the caddy. The case, rack and body of the containers are preferably made of cardboard so that many sets of pads can be stored and transported in one or more lightweight and inexpensive caddies.
US08091699B2	Device for loading containers on a transporting element provided with means for ejecting incorrectly loaded containers A device (10) for loading containers (12), which are provided with a neck (20), on an transporting element (14) includes a member (28) for individually grasping the container by the neck thereof, wherein the grasping member is used for catching or releasing the neck of a preform by the vertical slide of the preform with respect to the grasping member during an operation for catching or releasing it, the loading device includes elements (42, 68) for selectively ejecting the container from the transporting element during the releasing operation. The elements for ejecting the container are provided with container receiving members (42) which are used for catching the container prior to the releasing operation and are mounted in a horizontally movable manner in such a way that the trajectory of the receiving members are vertically superimposed and synchronized with the trajectory of the grasping device.
US08091694B2	Actuator arrangement for active vibration isolation comprising an inertial reference mass Actuator arrangement with an actuator (8), a reference mass (22), a spring (24) and a first sensor (26; 42, 43; 32, 36). The actuator (8) applies a force between a first object (2) and to a second object (16; 54). The reference mass (22) is, in use, supported by a third object (16; 56) by means of the spring (24). The first sensor (26; 42, 43; 32, 36) generates a first distance signal that depends on a first distance (z2; z5, z6; z3, z4) between the reference mass (22) and the first object (2) and is applied to a controller (6) to actuate the actuator (8).
US08091693B2	Method and plant for filling a hydraulic circuit with a control fluid A method and a plant for filling a hydraulic circuit with a control fluid, in which a vacuum is generated within the hydraulic circuit, the control fluid is supplied to a degasification chamber, a vacuum is generated in the degasification chamber containing the control fluid and the control fluid is supplied under pressure from the degasification chamber to the hydraulic circuit while continuing to maintain the vacuum in the hydraulic circuit.
US08091691B2	Disk brake A disk brake for a traction machine having a damping height of a damping mechanism that can be adjusted integrally. According to one embodiment, a disk brake includes: a static iron core; a spring and a coil assembly in the static iron core; a dynamic iron core assembly including a dynamic iron core, a dynamic disk, and first and second friction rotors configured to fit with the dynamic iron core and the dynamic disk; a plurality of connecting bolts; a plurality of spacers; a damping mechanism on the dynamic iron core assembly, the damping mechanism including a plurality of damping components on the dynamic iron core; an adjusting toothed belt assembly coupled to the damping components and banded to a circumferential outer surface of the dynamic iron core; and an adjusting bracket on the dynamic iron core and coupled to the adjusting toothed belt assembly.
US08091688B2	Method and device for actuating a parking brake Presented is a method for actuating a parking brake for a vehicle wheel. The parking brake includes a drive, a force transmitting device, and a device for sensing an application force component of the parking brake. The method includes minimizing friction losses and ageing losses of the force transmitting device, and sensing the application force component of the parking brake by performing a force measurement directly on the drive. Also presented is a device for actuating a parking brake for a motor vehicle wheel. The device includes a drive, a force transmitting device, and a device for sensing an application force component of the parking brake. The device for sensing the application force component includes a device for minimizing the friction losses and ageing losses of the force transmitting device, and a device for measuring force directly on the drive.
US08091685B2	Sound absorbing structure built into luggage compartment of vehicle A sound absorbing structure is constituted of a vibration plate and a rear air layer and is installed in a luggage compartment or trunk which is separated from a cabin in a vehicle. Sound waves entering into the luggage compartment drive the vibration plate to vibrate so that acoustic energy is converted into mechanical energy and is consumed by way of vibration of the vibration plate. By appropriately setting parameters and dimensions, the sound absorbing structure efficiently absorbs low-frequency sound such as road noise occurring due to friction of wheels of the vehicle traveling on a road.
US08091680B2	Acoustic resistor for hearing improvement and audiometric applications, and method of making same An acoustic resistor or damper and method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The damper has mesh material and mounting material attached to the mesh material. The mounting material defines an open region for transmission of sound through the mesh material, and has a mounting surface for mounting the damper on a surface surrounding an acoustic port or tube. The mounting surface is located on a plane different from the mesh material, thereby shielding the mesh material from adhesive applied between the mounting surface and the surface surrounding the acoustic port or tube. The method of manufacturing an acoustic damper comprises a sheet of double-sided tape having at least one perforation applied to a mesh material. The double-sided tape and mesh material is cut in the shape surrounding the at least one perforation.
US08091677B2	System and method of differentiating rotational speed and torque between wheels of a hybrid vehicle A powertrain for propelling a hybrid vehicle includes a front drivetrain, for driving a pair of front wheels, and a rear drivetrain, for driving a first and a second rear wheel, to propel the hybrid vehicle. First and second rear drive motors are operatively connected to the rear wheels to propel the hybrid vehicle. Energy is transmitted from an energy storage device to power and operate each of the first and second rear drive motors. Likewise, during regenerative braking, energy is transmitted from each of the rear drive motors to recharge the energy storage device. The first rear drive motor is operated independent of the second rear drive motor to transmit torque to vector torque between each of the rear wheels and control dynamics of the hybrid vehicle.
US08091674B1	Torque detecting system for bottom bracket axle of power-assisted bicycle and two-phase signal transmitting method using the same A torque detecting system for a bottom bracket axle of a power-assisted bicycle includes a torque sensor for being mounted on the bottom bracket axle of the bicycle, a wireless signal transmitter arranged stationarily relative to the bottom bracket axle, and a wireless signal receiver for being arranged at a location of a bicycle frame of the bicycle in proximity to the bottom bracket axle. The wireless signal transmitter is adapted for receiving a detected signal, which is outputted from the torque sensor, and then transmitting the detected signal to the wireless signal receiver wirelessly. In this way, the signal attenuation and the possibility of signal loss of the detected signal can be minimized during the signal transmission, such that the torque applied on the bottom bracket axle by the bicyclist can be detected precisely.
US08091656B2	Method and apparatus for delivery cart movement start and energy recovery A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating the energy required by an operator of a delivery cart to start the cart moving in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed as well as to recover some or all of the energy used to start the cart moving. The apparatus includes a cart, a drive wheel, a motor for driving the drive wheel, and a rechargeable energy source to power said motor where the rechargeable energy source is recharged during normal, unpowered movement of the cart. The method includes charging a power source while moving the cart, actuating a directional button to initiate movement in a desired direction, energizing a clutch to couple the motor to the driven wheel, energizing the motor to drive the driven wheel in the desired direction. After a predetermined time period, set by a run timer, the clutch is decoupled while the motor remains activated, and thereafter the motor is deactivated.
US08091655B2	Rolling cutter A cutting element for a drill bit that includes an outer support element having at least a bottom portion and a side portion; and an inner rotatable cutting element, a portion of which is disposed in the outer support element, wherein the inner rotatable cutting element includes a substrate and a diamond cutting face having a thickness of at least 0.050 inches disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; and wherein a distance from an upper surface of the diamond cutting face to a bearing surface between the inner rotatable cutting element and the outer support element ranges from 0 to about 0.300 inches is disclosed.
US08091654B2	Rock bit with vectored hydraulic nozzle retention sleeves A drill bit for drilling through an earthen formation to form a borehole includes a bit body having a central axis, an internal plenum, and an underside. The underside includes an annular outer region. The bit body includes an outer receptacle extending from the plenum to the outer region. In addition, the drill bit comprises a first and a second cone cutter. Each cone cutter comprises an outer region distal the bit axis. Further the drill bit comprises an outer sleeve having an upstream end received by the outer sleeve receptacle and a through passage. The through passage includes an upstream section having an upstream axis and a downstream section having a downstream axis that is skewed at an angle α relative to the upstream axis. A projection of the downstream axis passes between the outer regions of the first and second cone cutters.
US08091651B2	Hand-held power tool A hand-held power tool includes a main element with a normal axis which extends perpendicularly to a tool axis and through a center of gravity. A handle is supported in the plane of motion defined by the tool axis and the normal axis such that it is movable relative to the main element. A spring unit connects the handle with the main element, and has a spring element to define a trajectory of at least one portion of the handle in the plane of motion under the influence of a load force triggered when the handle is moved out of a neutral position and approaches the stationary main element. A rotary element defines a joint-free rotation axis, about which the handle rotates in the plane of motion when a motion takes place relative to the main element.
US08091649B2	Pneumatic screw driver and stop control method for air motor in pneumatic screw driver A pneumatic screw driver includes: a tool body; a nose portion; a main air chamber; a hammering cylinder; a driver bit integrally combined with a hammering piston in the hammering cylinder; an air motor; a valve housing provided in an air passage between the main air chamber and the air motor; a stop valve piston provided in the valve housing; a stop valve stem coaxially provided with the stop valve piston; a timer chamber connected to the hammering cylinder; a first pipeline and a second pipeline respectively formed at upper and lower positions in a lower portion of the stop valve stem; and a upper end proximal portion of a contact member provided slidably in a driving direction. The upper end proximal portion of the contact member is provided engageably with the stop valve stem. The first pipeline and the second pipeline are arranged so as to close the first pipeline after closing the second pipeline by moving the stop valve stem upward from a bottom dead center.
US08091647B2	Means of preventing marine fouling of subsea connectors The present embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus and method for using components in a subsea assembly formed from a raw polymer material combined with a marine growth inhibitor material.
US08091643B2	In situ conversion of heavy hydrocarbons to catalytic gas A method of producing natural gas from a heavy hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation includes: placing a catalyst comprising a transition metal into the formation, injecting an anoxic stimulation gas into the formation, and collecting the natural gas generated in the formation. The method may be performed outside the context of a subterranean formation under controlled conditions. Thus, a method of producing natural gas from bitumen includes: providing an anoxic mixture of heavy hydrocarbons and a catalyst having a transition metal, adding an anoxic stimulation gas to the mixture, and heating the mixture in the presence of the stimulation gas.
US08091642B2	Cement composition for carbon dioxide supercritical environment A cement composition resistant to carbon dioxide includes a hollow element for trapping carbonation products. The hollow element can be hollow spherical or quasi spherical particles including cenospheres, sodium-calcium-borosilicate glass microspheres, silica-alumina microspheres, or a combination thereof. Or the hollow element may be a spherical or quasi spherical void made in the set cement, for example by foaming the cement composition with a gas such as air, nitrogen or a combination thereof. The composition may be used to cement a subterranean well in which carbon dioxide is injected, stored or produced.
US08091639B2	Geothermal well diversion agent formed from in situ decomposition of carbonyls at high temperature A method of selectively blocking fractures in a subterranean formation by injecting a diversion agent into the well is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a diversion agent into a subterranean formation to form an alkaline-earth carbonate precipitate from decomposition of a carbonyl compound, wherein the diversion agent includes the carbonyl compound and an alkaline-earth halide salt.
US08091638B2	Methods useful for controlling fluid loss in subterranean formations Methods of controlling fluid loss in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a fluid loss control additive comprising a water-soluble polymer having hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification; introducing the treatment fluid into an interval of a well bore, the well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; creating one or more perforations in the interval of the well bore, wherein the perforations extend from the well bore and into the subterranean formation; and allowing the treatment fluid to contact a portion of the subterranean formation through the one or more perforations. Methods of a reducing fluid loss from a perforated and/or gravel packed interval of a well bore using a fluid loss control additive comprising a water-soluble polymer having hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification.
US08091631B2	Intelligent well system and method An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines.
US08091630B2	Apparatus and method for recovering fluids from a well and/or injecting fluids into a well Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
US08091627B2	Stress relief in a pocket of a downhole tool string component A downhole tool string component has a tubular body with an inner and outer diameter. A pocket is formed in the outer diameter and is adapted to receive downhole instrumentation. A covering is attached to the outer diameter of the component and is adapted to seal the pocket from outside debris, the pocket having a bottom floor and a plurality of side walls. A stress relief is formed in the pocket.
US08091626B1	Downhole combustion unit and process for TECF injection into carbonaceous permeable zones A downhole combustion unit for creating a high temperature, high pressure, thermal energy carrier fluid (TECF) inside a drill hole, which can be injected into a hydrocarbon, permeable zone for mining and producing hydrocarbons therefrom. The combustion unit includes an outer well-bore casing cemented in place in the drill hole. An inner well-bore casing, with injection holes in a lower portion thereof is used as a combustion chamber. The inner casing is suspended inside the outer casing. The configuration of the concentric outer and inner casings provide an outer annulus therebetween for receiving water from a ground surface and circulated downwardly under pressure. Compressed air and steam are circulated down the inside of the inner casing. A gas fuel tubing is disposed inside the inner casing for discharging the fuel into the combustion chamber. A glow plug may be attached to a lower end of an electric power cable and suspended inside the combustion chamber for better control in igniting the fuel and water mixture in the compressed air and steam mixture creating the TECF. The TECF is discharged out the bottom of the combustion unit into a permeable, hydrocarbon zone.
US08091622B2	System and method for cooling engine room using blowing device The present relates to a system for cooling a vehicle engine compartment having a blowing device provided on a dash panel of a vehicle and configured to be able to send external air to the engine compartment and a cabin of the vehicle; a control unit to control the blowing device such that the external air may flow into the engine compartment through the blowing device if the temperature of the engine compartment is higher than or equal to a limit temperature above which components in the engine compartment can be heat damaged; a door consisting of an engine compartment door rotatably installed between the opening and the cabin air supplier and a cabin door rotatably installed on the same line as the engine compartment door; and an actuator for opening and/or closing the engine compartment door and the cabin door, respectively.
US08091617B2	Heat exchanger A heat exchanger, such as a condenser or a gas cooler for an air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, has at least two fin/tube cores which have, on two opposite sides of the fin/tube cores, at least two collecting tubes which can have a flow connection to one another. The collecting tubes can have connecting or junction members which each co-operate with a closure plate or separating plate in order to make the heat exchanger easier to manufacture.
US08091612B2	Method for manufacturing clad material and equipment for manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing a clad material composed of a core material and one or more skin materials which are superposed on either one or both faces of the core material, includes a clad material preparation process where an ingot for core material is manufactured by melting and casting a metal, and an ingot for skin material is manufactured by melting and casting a different metal for skin material, without hot rolling. The ingot for skin material is superposed as a skin material at a predetermined position of either one or both faces of the ingot for core material and the superposed material is hot-rolled to manufacture a clad material.
US08091610B2	Method and apparatus for removing core material Core material is removed from a passage in a casting by exposing at least a portion of the core material in the passage to a leaching liquid. At least a portion of the core material in the passage is exposed to a gas. An opening to passage is exposed to a gas. At least a portion of the leaching liquid in the passage is boiled while the opening to the passage is exposed to a gas. At least a portion of the leaching liquid is expelled from the passage in the casting by the boiling action. To expose at least a portion of the core material in a passage to a leaching liquid, a flow of leaching liquid is conducted from a reservoir container to an operating container in which the casting is disposed. To expose at least a portion of the core material in the passage to a gas, a flow of leaching liquid is conducted from the operating container to the reservoir container.
US08091609B2	Method of forming casting with frictional damping insert A method of making a frictionally damped part including providing a frictional damping insert including downwardly extending support legs stamped out of a body portion of the insert.
US08091602B2	Transfer ring having advantaged cam follower-camming groove aspect and method A transfer ring especially suitable for use in the manufacture of vehicle tires including a skeletal cylindrical cage which houses an oscillatable circular drive member therewithin. The drive member includes a plurality of cam followers disposed about the outer perimeter thereof and which operatively engage respective camming grooves defined in each of a plurality of hinged driven links which are individually hingedly mounted internally of the cage about the outer perimeter of the cage. Each driven link includes an inboard end hinged within the cage and an outboard end having an articulating shoe mounted thereon. The shoes on the several driven links are interconnected to provide like simultaneous substantially equal articulative and rotational movement of the shoes radially inwardly or radially outwardly of the cage upon rotational movement of the drive member and resultant rotational movement of the hinged driven links effected through the cam followers and camming grooves of the driven links.
US08091596B2	Non-pneumatic tyre assembly A non-pneumatic wheel assembly (10) which has an outer rim assembly (26), an inner vehicle hub connection member (11), a compartment located between the outer rim assembly (26) and the inner hub connection member (11) which has a plurality of spring elements (21, 22) wherein at least some of the spring elements (21, 22) are attached to the outer rim assembly (26) and/or the inner hub connection member (11) characterised in that the spring elements (21, 22) are oriented in opposed or counteracting orientations.
US08091590B2	Nitrogen tire inflation system and method The present disclosure provides a nitrogen tire inflation and deflation system and associated usage methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a dispenser and a nitrogen storage device along with an associated usage method. In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a decommissioned pay phone is converted into an air or nitrogen dispenser. The conversion utilizes the form-factor and payment component of the pay phone with the additional of parts to regulate air flow. Advantageously, this provides an environmental solution to waste disposal of decommissioned pay phones. The air/nitrogen dispenser of the present disclosure can be placed at gasoline stations, convenience stores, car washes, and the like.
US08091588B2	Metallic tubular structure A metallic tubular structure having an inner surface providing a passage for conveying fluid or vapor, an outer surface, a multi-layer, strength-enhanced first end segment, a multi-layer, strength-enhanced second end segment, and a flexible segment intermediate the multi-layer, strength-enhanced first end segment and the multi-layer, strength-enhanced second end segment, the metallic tubular structure comprising: a first inner metallic tubular member, the inner surface thereof providing a fluid- or vapor-conveying passage for conveying fluid or vapor therethrough, the first inner metallic tubular member longitudinally extending the entire length of the metallic tubular structure, the first inner metallic tubular member comprising one or more metallic layers; a second metallic tubular member circumferentially disposed on the outer surface of a first end of the first inner metallic tubular member, the second metallic tubular member longitudinally extending a predetermined distance on the first inner metallic tubular member forming a multi-layer, strength-enhanced first end segment thereat; and a third metallic tubular member circumferentially disposed on the outer surface of a second end of the first inner metallic tubular member, the third metallic tubular member longitudinally extending a predetermined distance on the first inner metallic tubular member forming a multi-layer, strength-enhanced second end segment thereat, wherein each of the second metallic tubular member and the third metallic tubular member form spaced apart tubular members so that the two spaced apart metallic tubular member are not contiguous with one another.
US08091587B1	Tamper-resistant water flow restriction system A system and method for installing and removing a flow restrictor assembly in a shower, while prevents tampering with the flow restriction system thus installed. Tampering is prevented by concealing the flow restrictor assembly behind a shower wall, attached directly to a water supply line. The system further prevents tampering by concealing the tool-hole necessary for its removal behind a flow restrictor disk, so that there are no visible means of removing the flow restrictor assembly. The flow restrictor assembly threads onto a showerhead arm and the flow restrictor assembly with the attached showerhead arm threads directly into the water line. When the showerhead arm is unthreaded, the flow restrictor assembly remains connected to the water line by an external screw thread. The flow restrictor must be removed to reveal the tool-hole which may only then be engaged by a tool for removal.
US08091586B2	Method of manufacturing a venturi tube for a fuel system A method of manufacturing a venturi tube 10′ having a certain fluid flow direction is provided. The method provides a first core member 11 in a mold. The first core member has a periphery and an end 21 of a certain size. A second core member 17 is provided in the mold upstream of the first core member. The second core member has a periphery and an end 22 with a size that is less than the certain size. At least a portion of the end of the second core member is disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the end of the first core member such that a step is defined between the first and second core members. Material is molded about the peripheries of the first and second core members such that the peripheries define a stepped fluid flow surface of a venturi tube, and so that any resulting flash occurs only in the certain flow direction.
US08091584B2	Actuator position control device using a fail freeze servo-valve The actuator (50) comprises a slide (52) carrying at least two stages (54, 56) and being capable of sliding in a cylinder and two control chambers (62, 64) connected to respective use holes (U1, U2) of an electrically controlled servo-valve hydraulic distributor (20). The control chambers (62, 64) are each situated on one side of a respective stage and an intermediate chamber connected to high or low pressure is situated between the other sides of the stages. In the event of electrical control failure, the distributor (20) slide is taken to a safety position in which the control chambers (62, 64) of the actuator (50) are at the same low or high pressure opposed to that applying in the intermediate chamber (66) so that each stage of the actuator slide is then subjected to high pressure on one side and to low pressure on the other side. Sealing between each actuator slide stage (54, 56) and the actuator cylinder (60) is carried out by a dynamic seal (70) producing a frictional force between stage and cylinder, depending on the difference between the pressures exerted on the two sides of the stage so that, in the event of electrical control failure, the actuator slide valve is immobilized in its position at the moment of the failure (“fail freeze”). The actuator (50) can be an aeronautical engine fuel metering unit.
US08091581B2	Fluid level control toggle valve device and method A water level control device has connected tubular housings, one serving as a support for a hose connection and the other serving to support a valve housing assembly for operation of a toggle valve within the valve housing. An airtight float serves to raise the one extreme of a float rod when buoyed by sufficient water level admitted through apertures in the valve housing. The other extreme of the float rod is attached to a rod holder to hold the float rod. The rod holder passes through an outlet apertured valve seat wherein a valve washer attached to the rod holder within the toggle valve cavity is urged against the outlet valve seat by water pressure from a water hose.
US08091579B2	Level sensor A level sensor for providing an indication of liquid level in a container. The level sensor including an ultrasonic transducer for emitting an ultrasonic signal to the surface of the liquid and for detecting a return signal, reflected from the surface. A controller instructs the transducer to emit ultrasonic signals and receives an indication that a return signal has been detected. The controller including a timer for measuring the time period between emission of the ultrasonic signal and receipt of a return signal, the determined time period providing an indication of the liquid level. A radio transmitter receives an indication of the liquid level and transmits a radio liquid level signal to a remote output unit.
US08091574B2	Bursting disc assembly The bursting disc assembly has a primary bursting disc (10) and a secondary bursting disc (20) immediately behind and supporting the primary bursting disc. Each of the said discs (10,20) is made of metal and is gas impermeable, and the bursting strength of the assembly is derived from both of the bursting discs acting in combination. The primary and secondary bursting discs are in contact over the whole of the operating area of the disc, and are shaped together as a pair. The materials of the two discs can be chosen suitably for their functions. The primary disc is for example corrosion-resistant.
US08091572B2	Method for tracking pollution source in process water A method for tracking a pollution source in process water is presented. Firstly, variation curves of drain water drained from different rinsing tanks are respectively obtained, and a water quality concentration of the drain water drained to a buffer tank is detected, so as to output a water quality variation curve. Then, an analytical comparison is performed on each drain water amount variation curve and the water quality variation curve within a same time interval, so as to output an analytical result of each flow of drain water in a range exceeding a predetermined water quality standard. In this manner, the drain water that exceeds the predetermined water quality standard can be tracked in real-time according to the analytical result, thereby quickly improving the process for discharging the drain water.
US08091570B2	Corner brace The corner brace of a framework of a quickly erectable canopy shelter is connected between portions of a perimeter truss assembly connected to a leg of the framework of the canopy shelter. The corner brace includes a corner brace mounting pin on a first link member of an outer truss of the perimeter truss assembly, and a support truss tube member pivotally and rotatably connected at one end to an outer truss on one side of the leg. The other end of the support truss tube member is removably connected to an outer truss on the other side of the leg. The support truss tube member of the corner brace may include a support truss clip that fits to a link member of the framework. The framework may also include a canopy framework support assembly for supporting a canopy.
US08091567B2	Custom instant flossing appliance A custom-designed oral appliance for simultaneously flossing all the user's teeth. Consists of a custom-fitted polymer mouthpiece containing two corresponding holes located at the gum line between adjacent teeth, where one hole is located on the lingual side and one hole is located on the buccal side of the apparatus. Typical floss is then threaded through the appliance such that it matches the individual user's tooth pattern. New floss can be dispensed through the appliance and spent floss collected by means of a floss distribution system. A further embodiment provides a cross flossing pattern to maximize floss contact with the inter-proximal surfaces of adjacent teeth.
US08091566B2	Applicator for making up the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, the applicator including a furrow The applicator comprises a core presenting at least one helical furrow extending along at least one segment of the core from a first longitudinal end of the segment to a second longitudinal end of the segment. The core has a transverse dimension, measured away from the furrow, that varies on traveling along the segment in a longitudinal direction of the core. The core presents spines formed integrally therewith and situated on the segment outside the furrow.
US08091564B2	Volumizer attachment and device for forming hair with such attachment A volumizer attachment for connection to a device generating a stream of air, comprising a volumizer unit with hair styling fingers. A coupling section connects the volumizer attachment to the device. The volumizer unit is rotatably mounted, either in whole or in part. A rotating first drive shaft in the device connects to a rotatably mounted second drive shaft arranged inside the coupling section. The second drive shaft has a drive element on its output end, which is arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the second drive shaft. The drive element engages a force converter to convert the rotational drive motion of the drive element into an oscillating rotational motion of the volumizer unit, or a part thereof. The axis of rotation of the volumizer unit, or of the part thereof, and the axis of rotation of the second drive shaft are at an angle to one another.
US08091561B2	Mascara brush The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator comprising: a stem extending along a longitudinal axis; and a brush fastened to the stem, the brush comprising: a core having a substantially rectilinear portion that slopes relative to the longitudinal axis of the stem; and bristles extending from the substantially rectilinear portion of the core, the bristles having free ends that define an envelope surface that presents at least one face having a generator line that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stem.
US08091560B2	Electric mascara An electric mascara for makeup of eyelash by using a mascara brush is provided, An electric mascara includes a cap including a rotary switch which is operated by a handle, a motor which is operated according to the ON/OFF operation of the rotary switch and a decelerator to which motive power of the motor is supplied; a brush stick which is connected to a revolving axis of the decelerator; and a mascara brush installed at the end of the brush stick. The mascara brush is formed by piling disk-type comb tooth in serial with a space enough to form a trough, where mascara solution can be charged, and in zigzag so that eccentricity is generated; and an eyelash curling portion and a mascara solution applying portion with shorter length then the eyelash curling portion are formed at the mascara brush.
US08091558B2	Cigarette substitute The invention relates to a cigarette substitute, comprising a hollow tubular element (1) provided with a generator of products to be inhaled (7, 8), with internal heating means (6) for heating the inspired air or at least part of the generator of products to be inhaled, and with a device (8) for triggering the generator of products to be inhaled. It is characterized in that the triggering device comprises an element (8) sensitive to the heat produced by heating means that are situated outside the substitute (1) and are independent of the latter, said heat-sensitive element (8) being made of a material that cannot ignite or burn under the conditions of normal use of the substitute (1). It is thus possible to activate the cigarette substitute with the aid of a flame, without thereby causing combustion of the generator of products to be inhaled.
US08091555B2	Mouth guard Mouth guards of varying designs. The mouth guard is generally moldable and has non-planar biting surfaces. In other embodiments, the mouth guard has base members or flanges that have means for retaining medicaments and the like. Other versions have thermochromic elements selected to allow color changes at desired temperatures.
US08091553B2	Face mask support A face mask support for continuous positive airway pressure comprises a circumferential band with biasing means support at the crown of the head on the medial line of the head. The circumferential edge of the cap extends from just below the forehead of a patient to below the inion protrusion at the nape of the neck. A biasing means which is preferably of length of spring steel is formed so as to extend from the biasing means support hold a nasal or face mask apposed to the face of a patient. The circumferential band is stabilized by a band extending from the circumferential band at the region of the ear to the biasing means support.
US08091552B2	Apparatus to mitigate the spread of infectious material caused by coughing or sneezing Apparatus and method to mitigate the spread of infectious material caused by coughing or sneezing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a bottom, a peripheral first duct and a peripheral second duct, and a top. The bottom has a first side and an opposing second side. The peripheral first duct is disposed on the first side of the bottom and around a portion of the periphery of the bottom. The peripheral second duct is disposed on the first side of the bottom and around a second portion of the periphery of the bottom. The peripheral first duct has a first cavity and the peripheral second duct has a second cavity. The top includes at least one opening configured to receive a nose and mouth of a user. The top is disposed above the first side of the bottom and is recessed below the peripheral first duct and the peripheral second duct. The bottom, the top, the peripheral first duct and the peripheral second duct define a third cavity. The third cavity is in operational communication with said first cavity and said second cavity.
US08091550B2	Face mask having baffle layer for improved fluid resistance A face mask is provided. The face mask includes a body portion that is configured to be placed over a mouth and at least part of a nose of a user such that the air of respiration is drawn through the body portion. The body portion includes a baffle layer which helps prevent penetration from a fluid striking the mask. The baffle layer has an outer and an inner surface with a plurality of projections extending from one of the outer or inner surfaces. The baffle layer aids in absorbing energy associated with fluid striking the body portion of the mask. The baffle layer distributes fluid away form the point of impact in the channels between the projections.
US08091547B2	Apparatus for delivering humidified gases An apparatus for delivering humidified gases has a connection manifold adapted to connect with inlet and outlet ports of a slide on water chamber in a single slide on motion. Connection of the gases inlet and gases outlet ports as well as any additional electrical and/or pneumatic connections are all made in the same slide on motion. The water chamber may include inwardly extending elongate extension tubes with one of the extension tubes having an air bleed aperture to aid filling of the chamber.
US08091544B1	Solar light collector assembly having a clamp arrangement for attaching a mirror to a frame truss A solar light collector assembly includes a mirror for concentratedly reflecting solar light; a frame for mounting the mirror; and a clamp arrangement for attaching the mirror to the frame. The clamp arrangement includes at least one base attached to one of the mirror and frame and at least one corresponding clamp attached to the other one of the mirror and frame. The at least one clamp is operative for clamping onto the at least one base to fasten the mirror to the frame.
US08091536B2	Method and apparatus of fuelling an internal combustion engine with hydrogen and methane A gaseous-fuelled internal combustion engine and a method of engine operation improve combustion stability and reducing emissions of NOx, PM, and unburned hydrocarbons. The method comprises fuelling an internal combustion engine with hydrogen and natural gas, which can be directly injected into the combustion chamber together or introduced separately. Of the total gaseous fuel delivered to the engine, at least 5% by volume at standard temperature and pressure is hydrogen. For at least one engine operating condition, the ratio of fuel rail pressure to peak in-cylinder pressure is at least 1.5:1. A fuel injection valve introduces the gaseous fuel mixture directly into the combustion chamber. Two separate fuel injection valves could also introduce the methane and hydrogen separately. An electronic controller controls timing for operating the fuel injection valve(s). The engine has a preferred compression ratio of at least 14:1.
US08091531B2	Diagnostic systems and methods for a pressure sensor during idle conditions A diagnostic system for a pressure sensor includes a fuel pump module and a diagnostic control module. The fuel pump module activates a first pump and deactivates a second pump when an engine is operating in a diagnostic mode. The first pump supplies fuel to the second pump and the second pump supplies fuel to fuel injectors of the engine via a fuel rail. The diagnostic control module receives a measured pressure signal from a pressure sensor that indicates a pressure of the fuel rail during the diagnostic mode. The diagnostic control module detects a fault of the pressure sensor based on a comparison between the measured pressure signal and the commanded pressure signal for the first pump.
US08091523B2	Apparatus for and method of controlling variable valve timing mechanism The application provides a control apparatus of a variable valve timing mechanism capable of converging valve timing to a target value with good responsiveness as well as with high accuracy when an engine starts. In the state where the engine starts, the variable valve timing mechanism is driven to a target value at the engine start by a second manipulated variable corresponding to a maximum variation speed of valve timing. Valve timing is estimate in the state where the variable valve timing mechanism is driven by the second manipulated variable, and when the estimated valve timing reaches the target value, a manipulated variable is switched from the second manipulated variable to a first manipulated variable which is a feedforward manipulated variable or to the first manipulated variable which is a value obtained by adding the feedforward manipulated variable and a feedback manipulated variable.
US08091521B2	Self-supercharging engine with freewheeling mechanism The invention is directed to a novel self-supercharging internal combustion engine with two pairs of three pistons and cylinders. A self-supercharging internal combustion engine comprising: (a) a first piston and cylinder with intake and exhaust valves, the piston being connected to a crankshaft; (b) a second piston and cylinder with intake and exhaust valves, the piston being connected to the crankshaft; (c) a third piston and cylinder of a size which is at least double the size of the first and second pistons, the third piston having a valve which enables air and fuel to be drawn into the cylinder, the third cylinder being connected to the intake valves of the first and second pistons and cylinders, the third piston being connected to the same crankshaft as the first and second pistons, and a corresponding second set of three pistons and cylinders, the three pistons being connected to a second crankshaft, each crankshaft being interconnected by meshing gears. A freewheeling mechanism can be included with the first and/or second crankshaft.
US08091516B2	Cooling device A cooling device in an engine bay of a motor vehicle has a radiator and a radiator louver with at least one lamella that controls the passage of a gas flow through the radiator. At least one bypass duct bypasses the radiator and can be closed off by an associated closing element which is operatively connected to the radiator louver in such a way that an opening of the radiator louver generates a closing of the closing element, and therefore of the associated bypass duct, and vice versa. The radiator louver and the at least one closing element are coupled to one another in such a way that, regardless of the position of the lamellae of the radiator louver and the position of the at least one closing element, an at least approximately uniform lift force, or an at least approximately uniform pitching moment, is imparted to the vehicle.
US08091513B1	Pet securing device for cars A securing device for helping to keep a pet secure and safe in the back of a car featuring a vertical and horizontal platform connectable via a hook and slot mechanism; headrest straps disposed on the top edge of the vertical platform for harnessing headrests of front seats of the car; adjustable legs disposed on the bottom edge of the vertical platform for engaging the floorboard of the backseat of the vehicle; winged sideboards pivotally attached side edges of the vertical platform; hook components disposed on the vertical platform for engaging bottom areas of the front seats of the vehicle; and an extension panel pivotally attached to a front edge of the horizontal platform for providing additional length to the horizontal platform.
US08091511B2	Method of cleaning animal cages The invention relates to a method of cleaning animal cages, wherein a robot empties each cage from dirty bedding, puts the cage in a batch washing machine, and after a wash cycle, the washing machine is emptied and the cages are filled with clean bedding, manually or with the aid of a robot.
US08091509B2	Method for improving dog food Methods for preparing dog food compositions adapted for dogs with certain body conformation types by categorizing a dog for which the food composition is intended as a robust or athletic body conformation type and formulating a dog food composition to contain feed ingredients beneficial for the categorized dog. Typically, the protein and fat content of the food composition will be adjusted based upon the robust or athletic category for a particular dog or dog type.
US08091505B2	Secondary battery, method and device for testing the negative electrode, and method and device for producing negative electrode thereof In a method for testing a negative electrode of a secondary battery, light is irradiate to an active material layer formed on a current collector having a plurality of projections at least on one side thereof, the active material layer including first columnar bodies of active material grown obliquely from the projections. The angle is measured between the reflected light from the active material layer and a normal line parallel to the thickness direction of the current collector.
US08091503B2	Label configured to indicate an object reaching a predetermined temperature An apparatus indicates a temperature of an object. The apparatus includes a porous substrate, a mirror image of a first image pattern printed with a first phase-change ink having a first phase change temperature on a first side of the porous substrate, and an adhesive layer applied to the first side of the porous substrate to enable the porous substrate to be affixed to an object.
US08091500B2	Over-the-water dock An over-the-water dock includes a plurality of modular floating docks adjacently positioned. Each modular floating dock includes a float and a plurality of walers fixedly attaches to the float and walers include at least one outer waler and an inner waler. One or more crossbeams transversely attach to the at least one outer waler of one of the modular floating docks and the at least one outer waler of another of the modular floating docks.
US08091497B2	Sectionalized mast track Disclosed is a sectionalized mast track that solves problems associated with furling and reefing sails on yachts, particularly large yachts. The inventive mast track includes mast track sections that are secured to a mast with hinges. Securing pins connect the sections to each other such that all the sections pivot together along the centerline defined by hinges. The securing mechanisms also make it possible to remove a single mast track section at a time. Embodiments of the inventive mast track have a cross section that absorbs wind-generated compressive forces exerted by battens, reducing chafing, and eliminates the need for sail slides, which would otherwise lock the sail in place during furling and reefing. The inventive mast track may also be configured to couple to an articulating sail feeder that bends and rotates freely, but limits the axial twist of the sail as during furling and reefing.
US08091495B2	Compressed natural gas barge The present invention is directed to a maritime vessel that uses a solid or semi-solid material to enclose substantially natural gas storage vessels in the hold of the vessel.
US08091494B2	Liquefied gas tank with a central hub in the bottom structure The present invention comprises a tank for liquefied gases or a so-called cryogenic tank (1) with a tank bottom structure (10) and a tank wall structure (11) arranged around a circumference of the tank bottom structure (10). The tank bottom structure (10) is provided with a tank bottom hub (2) adapted for being held by a bottom hub retainer (20) on a tank support structural floor (23). The tank is simple to install, cheap in production and handles in an improved manner forces acting upon it.
US08091493B2	Sewing machine, and computer-readable storage medium storing sewing machine control program A sewing machine includes an image pickup device that picks up over a sewing machine bed; a feature point coordinates calculation device that extracts feature points from the picked up image and calculates two-dimensional coordinates of the feature points; a reference coordinates storage device that stores three-dimensional reference coordinates of the feature points; a correlation device that correlates the reference coordinates with the feature point coordinates; a parameter calculation device that calculates a parameter about the image pickup device; a parameter storage device that stores the calculated parameter; a comparison image acquisition device that acquires the picked up image as a comparison image; a first determination device that determines whether comparison information matches with parameter information; and a first notification device that notifies that it is necessary to re-calculate the parameter depending on the result by the first determination device.
US08091485B2	Locomotive car body flexible joint The present invention provides a joint for transferring load from the underframe of a locomotive to the cant rail of its car body. The joint includes a base connected to the underframe of the locomotive with a body portion attached thereto. This body portion carries a generally diagonally situated member connected to the cant rail of the car body of the locomotive, such that the load from the underframe is transferred to the base of the joint, through the body portion of the joint, to the diagonally situated member and to the cant rail during bending of the underframe of the locomotive. In another aspect of the present invention, a joint is provided which is generally flexible to accommodate bending of the car body and underframe of the locomotive relative to their respective stiffnesses.
US08091481B1	Gas strut separation for staged rocket A staged rocket apparatus includes first and second stages connected by a releasable connector. A plurality of pressurized gas struts are connected between the first and second stages and provide a separating force urging the first and second stages apart. The gas struts are held in a telescopingly collapsed first position by the releasable connector. The separating force is maintained at a minimum value so long as the releasable connector holds the struts in their first position. When the releasable connector is disconnected the separating force increases due to gas flow through a metering passage having a progressively increasing flow area from a high pressure chamber to a low pressure chamber.
US08091480B2	Irritation body with additional effect An irritation body (1) is proposed that has a container (5) and a first effect charge as well as an ignition mechanism (3) and an ignition cap (4), which now has in the free area on the floor (8) of the irritation body (1) an additional body (10) provided with a further or second effect charge (11). The housing (12) of the additional body (10) is preferably made of plastic and contains, for example, metal dust as the second effect charge (11).
US08091479B1	Fluid blade disablement tool A fluid blade disablement (FBD) tool that forms both a focused fluid projectile that resembles a blade, which can provide precision penetration of a barrier wall, and a broad fluid projectile that functions substantially like a hammer, which can produce general disruption of structures behind the barrier wall. Embodiments of the FBD tool comprise a container capable of holding fluid, an explosive assembly which is positioned within the container and which comprises an explosive holder and explosive, and a means for detonating. The container has a concavity on the side adjacent to the exposed surface of the explosive. The position of the concavity relative to the explosive and its construction of materials with thicknesses that facilitate inversion and/or rupture of the concavity wall enable the formation of a sharp and coherent blade of fluid advancing ahead of the detonation gases.
US08091473B2	Juice extractor A juice extractor capable of extracting juice from vegetables, fruits or soymilk from beans is disclosed. The extractor includes a housing having a draff outlet port and a juice outlet port, a screw having an upper rotary shaft inserted in a rotary shaft hole of the housing and a lower rotary shaft with a plurality of screw spirals formed on an outer periphery thereof, and a mesh drum for extracting the juice toward the juice outlet port, and a rotary brush mounted between the housing and the mesh drum and having a brush holder. Various nutrients and intrinsic flavor contained in the vegetables or fruits are maintained to the fullest extent by employing a very low speed screw of a squeezing mode. Also, since the housing accommodating the screw is vertically fixed to an upper portion of a drive unit, the material is automatically moved downward without pressing the material down, and the draff is discharged while squeezing and grinding the materials put in an inlet port.
US08091470B2	Machine for filtered coffee with shutter opening A machine for filtered coffee, having an upper body, inside which a filter-carrier for the coffee and a tank for the water are housed, both accessible through a window. The machine comprises a shutter able to be moved slidingly with respect to said upper body between an open condition and a closed condition of said window and vice versa, so as to selectively allow complete frontal access to said filter-carrier and to said tank, through said window, leaving free frontal access to the filter-carrier and to the water tank. The machine further comprises a pivoting opening which opens frontally with respect to a user and allows access to said tank, when said shutter is in the open condition, for conveying water to the tank without moving said tank from the machine.
US08091465B2	Armor module and an armor array used therein According to the present invention there is provided an armor array for protecting a body to be protected from an incoming projectile having an anticipated impact direction. The armor array is constituted by at least a first and a second armor cassette, each comprising a top base plate and a bottom base plate sandwiching therebetween an expandable layer. The first and second armor cassettes are spaced apart by an intermediate depressible panel having a top and a bottom face, such that the bottom base plate of the first armor cassette faces the top face of the intermediate depressible panel and the top base plate of the second cassette faces the bottom face of the intermediate depressible panel. The armor array is constructed such that upon expansion of the expandable layer, caused by the impact of the incoming projectile, at least one of the bottom base plate of the first armor cassette and the top base plate of the second armor cassette is urged towards the intermediate depressible panel and depresses it.
US08091455B2	Apparatus, system, and method for cutting tubes An apparatus, system, and method for cutting tubes has a scarf cut made in a direction transverse to a cut-off direction. The scarf cut passes through a thickness of a tube wall and forms an opening that receives a tip of a cut-off blade. The cut-off blade has cutting edges with an angle that engage ends of the opening such that a slug is forced upward and outward relative to the tubes. The scarf blade, the cut-off blade, and a clamping jaw may be moved in a coordinated manner by separate drivers operated under control of an electronic controller.
US08091451B2	Power divider for motor vehicles comprising a controlled friction coupling The invention relates to a power divider for motor vehicles, comprising a housing (1), a primary shaft (2) having a drive connection to a first driven axis, a controlled friction coupling (4) and a displacement drive (6, 7, 8) for the drive of a second driven axis. The friction coupling (4) can be actuated by means of two ramp rings (1, 16) which can rotate counter to each other and which comprise articulated jacks (19, 20). In order to use the toothed wheels as a displacement drive and to provide a compact and economical actuator, the control curves are embodied on a control cam (25) which comprises two control sliding tracks (35, 36) which are offset in relation to each other and can be rotated about a parallel axis in relation to the axis of primary shaft (2). The control cam (25) is rotationally mounted on the second toothed wheel (7) or the shaft thereof (9).
US08091450B2	Decoupled vibration damper A torsional vibration damper includes a one-piece integral hub and annular inertia mass assembly. Between the hub and the inertia mass are intermediate rings connected integrally with the mass and the hub connected integral spokes. Elastomeric members are compression fitted within spaces formed between the hub and the mass. With this design, the damper can be formed from a polymeric material with an embedded annular weight.
US08091447B2	Sequential control device with rotating drum for engaging gears in a mechanical gearbox of a motor vehicle A sequential control device having a rotatable drum and having a plurality of guide grooves and a corresponding plurality of engagement forks, each including a supporting portion on the outer surface of the drum, a drive portion to drive a corresponding synchronizing sleeve of the gearbox, and a pin engaging in a corresponding guide groove of the drum. The guide grooves are shaped to produce selective axial movement of the pins and engagement forks, upon rotation of the drum, to cause each time the engagement of a given gear. The pins are positioned on the same side of the drive portion of the engagement forks. A through groove is provided on the outer surface of the drum and extends from an end of the drum to at least the guide groove farthest from that end, to guide the pins of the engagement forks when mounted on the drum.
US08091444B2	Transmission mechanism having deceleration function A transmission mechanism having a deceleration function includes a guide screw, a worm wheel set, an intermediary ring, an isolator and a passive sleeve. The worm wheel set is fitted onto the guide screw and includes worm wheel and plural claw arms. A spacing slot is formed between any two adjacent claw arms. The intermediary ring is fitted onto a peripheral edge of each claw arm. The isolator surrounds a peripheral edge of the intermediary ring with one side fixed to an actuator. With plural grooves arranged on a peripheral edge thereof, the passive sleeve is fitted onto the guide screw. An accommodation space is formed among the groove, spacing slot and intermediary ring. Each needle roller is accommodated in the accommodation space and inter-contacted with the claw arm, the intermediary ring and the passive sleeve.
US08091436B2	Differential force sensor A differential force sensor method and apparatus for automatically monitoring manual injections through an intravenous line. The differential force sensor includes two piezoresistive sense die that are packaged in close proximity utilizing a number of packaging processes. The two piezoresistive sense die can be utilized to measure forces exerted on a diaphragm on either side of an orifice. The piezoresistive sense die can be packaged in close proximity to make intimate contact with the diaphragms on either side of the orifice. The differential force sensor further includes two plungers that make intimate contact with the diaphragm and transfer the force into the piezo-resistive sense dies. Additionally, one or more ASICs and microcontrollers can be utilized to provide thermal calibration and differential calculation.
US08091431B2	Pressure sensor A pressure sensor includes: a housing; a pressure input orifice opened at a pipe sleeve of the housing; a diaphragm sealing the pressure input orifice, the diaphragm having a first surface serving as a pressure receiving surface; a pressure sensitive unit using a direction of detecting a force as a detecting axis. A first end of the pressure sensitive unit is connected to a central area of a second surface of the diaphragm. A second end of the pressure sensitive unit is connected to the housing. The detecting axis is approximately orthogonal to the pressure receiving surface. A circumference of a portion where the central area and the first end of the pressure sensitive unit are in contact with each other is located inside a circumference of the central area. A thickness of the central area is larger than a thickness of an area surrounding the central area.
US08091429B2	Apparatus and method for high frequency low pressure arc flash sensor A pressure sensor for detecting an electric arc in an electrical switchboard, the sensor being in an enclosed case containing a conical opening, the case being placed in the switchboard. A pressure switch in the sensor is attached to the interior of the case and is electrically connected to a circuit board for transmitting a signal when a contact in the pressure switch is closed. When a pressure wave created by the electric arc enters the case through the conical opening it forces a contact on the pressure switch to close thereby completing a circuit with the circuit board which transmits the signal to, for example, a central processor, to turn off the source of electricity thereby quenching the electric arc.
US08091427B2	Nondestructive inspection apparatus and nondestructive inspection method using guided wave Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a technique for quickly detecting a defective portion including wastage, which has occurred in piping having a straight piping portion or a bending zone, in the nondestructive inspection using a guided wave. A guided wave sensor 3 included in a guided wave inspection device 4 is mounted to the outer surface of piping 1. A guided wave is propagated to an inspection area of the piping 1. If a defective portion exists, the guided wave sensor 3 receives the guided wave that has been reflected from the defective portion. As a result, the guided wave inspection device 4 can acquire receive information including receive information derived from the defect.
US08091423B2	Weld verification system and method An inspection method and system that locates a probe proximate a region of a shaft that is welded to a slug that secures the shaft to a housing. An acoustical wavefront may be emitted from the probe into the shaft toward the slug, and a reflection of the acoustical wavefront may be received with the probe. Whether the reflection occurred at an interface between the shaft and the slug or at a distal end of the slug is determined based on a time that the reflection is received by the probe.
US08091420B2	Illuminated directional wind speed indicator A combination wind direction and wind speed indicating apparatus for providing enhanced visibility at night and under other low visibility conditions is mounted, for example, at an airport landing zone, to rotate in the wind and indicates wind direction with high-intensity colored lights mounted in a specified array about the horizontal periphery of the apparatus; a vertical array of lights is illuminated in response to incremental wind speed variations. The apparatus can include a self-contained source of electrical power such as a rechargeable battery pack connected via appropriate circuitry to a solar power cell.
US08091419B2	Fluid pressure operated fixture A fixture includes a housing assembly defined along an axis. A pressure bar assembly is mounted to the housing assembly for movement relative the axis. A bladder assembly is mounted at least partially within the housing assembly such that pressurization of the bladder assembly is operable to exert a force on a workpiece along the axis with the pressure bar assembly.
US08091417B2	Method for determining amount of correction of bearing height A method for determining an amount of correction of a bearing height includes the steps of: determining the heights of bearings in an engine by using a transfer matrix method based on an actually measured bearing load and an actually measured crank deflection; determining a computed bearing load acting on each of the bearings based on the determined bearing height; determining a reference bearing load acting on each bearing when the bearing height of each bearing is positioned on a reference plane; determining a load difference between the computed bearing load and the reference bearing load on each bearing; and comparing the determined load difference with a set range and, when the determined load difference exceeds the set range, determining a correction range of the bearing height such that the load difference falls within an allowable range.
US08091416B2	Robust design of diagnostic enabling conditions for SCR NOx conversion efficiency monitor A method for controlling a malfunction catalyst diagnostic test that determines a malfunction status of a catalyst within a selective catalytic reduction device includes monitoring an exhaust gas flow within an aftertreatment system, estimating an effect of the exhaust gas flow on an estimated reductant storage on a catalyst within the selective catalytic reduction device, and selectively disabling the malfunction catalyst diagnostic test based upon the estimating the effect of the exhaust gas flow on the estimated reductant storage.
US08091415B2	Apparatus for and method of detecting abnormality in exhaust gas temperature sensor On the basis of a correlation between exhaust gas temperature detected by an exhaust gas temperature sensor and exhaust gas temperature estimated according to an engine operating condition, it is detected whether or not abnormality occurs in the exhaust gas temperature sensor. Namely, when a change characteristic of the detected exhaust gas temperature follows a change characteristic of the estimated exhaust gas temperature, it is determined that the exhaust gas temperature sensor is normal. On the other hand, when the change characteristic of the detected exhaust gas temperature does not follow that of the estimated exhaust gas temperature, it is determined that the exhaust gas temperature sensor is abnormal.
US08091414B2	Methods of detecting replacement of a particulate matter filter Methods of monitoring replacement of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) by a non-particulate matter filter. The disclosed methods takes into account a change in delta pressure based soot load estimates (DPSLE) over time to detect whether the DPF has been replaced. The estimate, which is measured by the delta pressure drop across the filter, can be used to determine whether a device that does not have the capability of trapping soot, such as a muffler, has been inserted.
US08091412B2	Method and devices to identify the piston in the compression phase in an internal combustion engine equipped with a gasoline indirect electronic injection system The invention relates to the field of method and devices therefore for identifying which cylinder is in the compression phase in a gasoline indirect electronic injection internal combustion engine.The present invention develops over various phases, measuring the signal of the ionisation current of each cylinder in which the piston is located at the top dead centre, registering the average value thereof and comparing it with a predetermined value.
US08091409B2	Percolation testing apparatus and methods A storm water run-off percolation rate test system includes a turbid water generator having a silt or sediment source providing silt into a mixing tank. A pipeline carries turbid water from the mixing tank to a test pit or test site. A flow meter measures the amount of turbid water moved into the test pit. Detectors detect a water level in the test pit. A controller automatically controls the turbid water generator and flow of turbid water into the test pit, and records data on the amount of turbid water provided into the test pit over time, to determine a percolation rate. In a method for determining a percolation rate, turbid water is created and used in the percolation rate testing, to more accurately simulate run-off.
US08091393B2	Multi-piece plug assembly for a cylinder lock A cylinder lock assembly includes a cylinder body and a plug assembly which is manufactured in a multiple of pieces to facilitate casting of each plug piece in a single operation. The plug assembly includes a plug body with a plug insert opening to receive a plug insert. The plug insert opening is generally L-shaped in cross-section to receive the plug insert which is correspondingly shaped. The plug insert includes a plug outer portion which defines an arcuate outer surface which corresponds with the outer circumference of the plug body when the plug insert is mounted therein. A plug pin chamber portion extends generally transverse to the plug outer portion to define a multiple of tumbler pin chambers which extend through the plug outer portion.
US08091386B2	Recycled glass items and method of making A method of making decorative glass objects of any of a wide variety of appearances, structures and functions teaches that recycled glass bottles may be cut into disks, rings and other shapes using a diamond dust blade on a bandsaw, then firing the glass objects in a glass kiln to the point of slumping but not to melting, and finally by grinding the objects with a diamond head glass grinder. Glass objects made by the method of the invention betray their recycled origins with an eye-pleasing organic quality to finish and shape.
US08091382B2	Jewelry coupling and jewelry article and method of making A jewelry coupling includes a U-shape fitting connectable to respective parts of a necklace to allow two degrees of freedom of motion between the respective parts, e.g., allowing one part to rotate in one plane about one axis and the other part to swivel about another axis. The U-shape fitting includes a pair of spaced-apart disk-like sides with a fastener therebetween and attachable to a jewelry band member allowing rotation thereof about the fastener, a bridge connecting the two disk-like sides and an opening in the bridge for a pin fastener attachable to a decorative jewelry item, e.g., a pendant, allowing for swiveling of the decorative jewelry item about the another axis. A method for assembling an article of jewelry includes attaching a jewelry band member to a jewelry coupling allowing rotation about one axis and attaching a decorative jewelry item to a pin fastener allowing swiveling of the decorative jewelry item relative to the jewelry coupling and Jewelry band member.
US08091380B2	Motor-operated selector valve and refrigeration cycle device for refrigerators A motor-operated selector valve relating to refrigerating technology is provided. In the present invention, a slider is controlled by a stepper motor so as to be rotatablely displaced among four positions on a flat bottom surface of a valve seat. Three outlets on the flat bottom surface are communicated with a normal open inlet in the valve seat via flow-guiding orifices in the slider respectively. In the first working position, the first outlet and the third outlet are in communication with the normal open inlet at the same time; in the second working position, the second outlet is in communication with the normal open inlet; in the third working position, the third outlet is in communication with the normal open inlet; in the fourth working position, the first outlet is in communication with the normal open inlet.
US08091378B1	Hitch mounted keg beverage dispenser A hitch mounted self-contained keg beverage dispenser removably mounts on a conventional receiver hitch of a vehicle for transporting a beverage keg over long distances to a site of use while maintaining the contents in a cooled condition and dispensing the contents at the site while supported on the transporting vehicle. The dispenser has an insulated container that receives the keg and is mounted on a platform received in the hitch and supported vertically proximate the vehicle rear bumper. The container may be secured to the platform in the vertically supported position and pivoted to an angular position to allow access to the vehicle cargo area. A compressed gas cylinder, a dispensing spigot and a drip tray are mounted on the container. The keg inside the container is surrounded by ice and connected with the gas cylinder and spigot by hoses extending through the container side wall.
US08091375B2	Humidity control for air conditioning system In an air conditioning system for circulating cooled air to an enclosed space, a controller including a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a microcontroller for controlling the indoor fan or blower to prevent operation of same if a fan run-on mode is selected or continuous fan operation is selected and the humidity sensed in the enclosed space is greater than a predetermined amount. Continuous fan operation is allowed unless the humidity exceeds a user defined setpoint during an air cooling operating mode. If the humidity sensed is greater than the predetermined amount, the fan is operated only when the system is providing cooled air, such as when the system compressor is energized.
US08091374B2	Weighing type ice vending machine A weighing type ice vending machine includes an ice cube formation device installed in a machine body for supplying a specific weight of ice cubes after coins are inputted, and a body composed of a storage bucket, an output device, a weight sensing module and a control loop. Pure water is put into an ice tray in the machine body and condensed into ice cubes which are gathered into a storage bucket for a cold storage. A user puts a user's container on a weighing scale of the weight sensing module at an outlet of the machine body outlet and inserts coins whose dollar amount information is displayed. The quantity of outputted ice cubes is calculated and outputted automatically, and then the ice supply is stopped. The quantity of remained ice cubes in the machine body is recorded automatically, such that the ice cube will be produced again timely and the supply of ice cubes will be stopped temporarily.
US08091368B2	Turbomachine combustion chamber A turbomachine combustion chamber including a chamber bottom with at least one opening designed to receive a combustion bowl in the axis of which an air and fuel injection device is mounted is disclosed. The downstream end of the flared bowl includes a divergent with a double partition delimiting an annular cavity. The first outer partition includes inlet orifices arranged to cool the second inner partition by impact and the second inner partition includes outlet orifices. The inlet orifices, distributed in at least two circular rows on the periphery of the divergent, are in staggered rows with the outlet orifices.
US08091367B2	Combustor with improved cooling holes arrangement A gas turbine engine combustor liner with at least one of the inner and outer liners that is effusion cooled and has a row of groups of circumferentially spaced apart dilution holes defined therethrough. Each group is located within a respective zone of the combustor liner defined by an overlap of adjacent conical sections corresponding to the sprays of adjacent fuel nozzles.
US08091366B2	Armor-plated machine components and gas turbines A machine component with a base body made of a base material, a part of the surface of which has been equipped with cladding material having a hardness greater in comparison to the base material. The cladding material is segmented and made up of a number of cladding segments that are spaced apart on the machine component. Each cladding segment may be disposed within a respective recess on the surface of the base body forming strips of the base body and material, and each such strip is disposed between consecutive segments forming a continuous surface.

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